This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/world/middleeast/study-israel-jews-pew-research.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Deep Rifts Among Israeli Jews Are Found in Religion Survey Deep Rifts Among Israeli Jews Are Found in Religion Survey
(35 minutes later)
JERUSALEM — A majority of Israeli Jews marry within their own religious or secular subgroups, and they inhabit largely separate social worlds, according to the findings of a survey exposing the deep gulfs over the role of religion in Israeli politics and society.JERUSALEM — A majority of Israeli Jews marry within their own religious or secular subgroups, and they inhabit largely separate social worlds, according to the findings of a survey exposing the deep gulfs over the role of religion in Israeli politics and society.
The first in-depth study of religion in Israel conducted by the Washington-based Pew Research Center, released on Tuesday, found that religious and social divisions are reflected in “starkly contrasting positions on many public policy questions,” and in profoundly differing attitudes toward the character of Israel.The first in-depth study of religion in Israel conducted by the Washington-based Pew Research Center, released on Tuesday, found that religious and social divisions are reflected in “starkly contrasting positions on many public policy questions,” and in profoundly differing attitudes toward the character of Israel.
So while 89 percent of Israel’s secular Jews, who make up 40 percent of the population, think that democratic principles should take precedence over Jewish law on issues where the two collide, 89 percent of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews, a smaller but fast-growing group, think the opposite.So while 89 percent of Israel’s secular Jews, who make up 40 percent of the population, think that democratic principles should take precedence over Jewish law on issues where the two collide, 89 percent of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews, a smaller but fast-growing group, think the opposite.
The study found substantial differences among Israeli Jews on crucial questions. Even among self-identified centrists — 55 percent of the Israeli Jews surveyed — opinion was split three ways on the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Over all, a third believed the settlements hurt Israel’s security, another third thought they helped the country’s security and the remainder said they made no difference.The study found substantial differences among Israeli Jews on crucial questions. Even among self-identified centrists — 55 percent of the Israeli Jews surveyed — opinion was split three ways on the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Over all, a third believed the settlements hurt Israel’s security, another third thought they helped the country’s security and the remainder said they made no difference.
One striking finding was that nearly half of Israeli Jews responding to the survey said that Arabs should be expelled or transferred from Israel, although Israeli pollsters found the wording of the question problematic.One striking finding was that nearly half of Israeli Jews responding to the survey said that Arabs should be expelled or transferred from Israel, although Israeli pollsters found the wording of the question problematic.
The study also looked at Israel’s Muslim, Christian and Druze minorities, who collectively make up about one-fifth of Israel’s population of about 8.5 million. They are an increasingly important force in Israeli politics but sociologically remain quite separate: Only one percent reported a spouse of a different religion. The study also looked at Israel’s Muslim, Christian and Druse minorities, who collectively make up about one-fifth of Israel’s population of about 8.5 million. They are an increasingly important force in Israeli politics but sociologically remain quite separate: Only 1 percent reported a spouse of a different religion.
For Israeli pundits and pollsters, the results were mostly not surprising. “We are a people who engage in navel-gazing,” said Tamar Hermann, a professor of political science at Israel’s Open University and a public opinion expert who was an unpaid adviser on the Pew study. For Israeli pundits and pollsters, the results were mostly not surprising. “We are a people who engage in navel-gazing,” said Tamar Hermann, a professor of political science at the Open University of Israel and a public opinion expert who was an unpaid adviser on the Pew study.
But for a broader, non-Israeli audience, she and other experts said, the degree of internal disjuncture can be jolting.But for a broader, non-Israeli audience, she and other experts said, the degree of internal disjuncture can be jolting.
“These groups live in the same country, a small country, but it’s almost like they live in different worlds,” said Alan Cooperman, Pew’s director of religion research. “All societies have various kinds of fractures and divisions,” he said, “but the size of the fractures in Israel from a pollster’s point of view are jaw-dropping.” “These groups live in the same country, a small country, but it’s almost like they live in different worlds,” said Alan Cooperman, Pew’s director of religion research.
“All societies have various kinds of fractures and divisions,” he said, “but the size of the fractures in Israel from a pollster’s point of view are jaw-dropping.”
He described those fractures as “ethnic and religious and deep and very real and alive in political discussions,” with practical implications.He described those fractures as “ethnic and religious and deep and very real and alive in political discussions,” with practical implications.
Questions about Jewish law versus democracy may seem theoretical, Mr. Cooperman said, “but it is where the rubber meets the road on policy questions like whether public transportation is running and planes are flying on the Sabbath.”Questions about Jewish law versus democracy may seem theoretical, Mr. Cooperman said, “but it is where the rubber meets the road on policy questions like whether public transportation is running and planes are flying on the Sabbath.”
The Jewish majority is still united by various factors, including support for Israel as a refuge, with unlimited Jewish immigration. Most Israeli Jews perceive anti-Semitism as being on the rise around the world and believe Israel is essential for the long-term survival of the Jewish people.The Jewish majority is still united by various factors, including support for Israel as a refuge, with unlimited Jewish immigration. Most Israeli Jews perceive anti-Semitism as being on the rise around the world and believe Israel is essential for the long-term survival of the Jewish people.
And despite the diametrically opposed positions of some sectors regarding the place of Jewish law, the survey indicates that 76 percent of Israeli Jews believe that Israel can be both a Jewish state and a democracy. Among the Arab population, 64 percent do not believe it can be both.And despite the diametrically opposed positions of some sectors regarding the place of Jewish law, the survey indicates that 76 percent of Israeli Jews believe that Israel can be both a Jewish state and a democracy. Among the Arab population, 64 percent do not believe it can be both.
Local experts said that although Israelis frequently poll themselves on similar issues, the unusually large scope of the Pew survey gives it weight and validity. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews in Hebrew, Arabic and Russian among 5,601 Israeli adults from October 2014 through May 2015.Local experts said that although Israelis frequently poll themselves on similar issues, the unusually large scope of the Pew survey gives it weight and validity. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews in Hebrew, Arabic and Russian among 5,601 Israeli adults from October 2014 through May 2015.
The new study follows a major Pew survey of American Jews published in 2013 that found a significant rise in those who are not religious, marry outside the faith and are not raising their children Jewish, resulting in rapid assimilation in every branch of Judaism except Orthodox.The new study follows a major Pew survey of American Jews published in 2013 that found a significant rise in those who are not religious, marry outside the faith and are not raising their children Jewish, resulting in rapid assimilation in every branch of Judaism except Orthodox.
Together, the two studies constitute a survey of about 80 percent of the world’s Jews.Together, the two studies constitute a survey of about 80 percent of the world’s Jews.
The latest study found that overall, Jews in Israel are more religiously observant than Jews in the United States, a difference that in part reflects the higher share of Israeli Jews who are Orthodox. But Israeli Jews who define themselves as secular are also more religiously observant by some measures. Nearly two-thirds of Israeli Jews say they keep kosher at home, for example, compared with about a quarter of Jewish Americans. The latest study found that, over all, Jews in Israel are more religiously observant than Jews in the United States, a difference that in part reflects the higher share of Israeli Jews who are Orthodox. But Israeli Jews who define themselves as secular are also more religiously observant by some measures. Nearly two-thirds of Israeli Jews say they keep kosher at home, for example, compared with about a quarter of Jewish Americans.
The survey focuses on four categories of Israeli Jews who identified themselves as Haredi, the Hebrew term for ultra-Orthodox; Dati, meaning religious; Masorti, denoting Jews who view themselves as “traditional”; or Hiloni, the Hebrew word for secular.The survey focuses on four categories of Israeli Jews who identified themselves as Haredi, the Hebrew term for ultra-Orthodox; Dati, meaning religious; Masorti, denoting Jews who view themselves as “traditional”; or Hiloni, the Hebrew word for secular.
Haredim, who currently make up about 8 percent of Israel’s adult population, tend to have large families and are the fastest-growing group. Dati Jews make up 10 percent of all Israeli adults, and Masorti Jews make up 23 percent, though there are no hard lines between the groups and there is likely to be some overlap. Haredim, who make up about eight percent of Israel’s adult population, tend to have large families and are the fastest-growing group. Dati Jews make up 10 percent of all Israeli adults, and Masorti Jews make up 23 percent, though there are no hard lines between the groups and there is likely to be some overlap.
While 56 percent of Dati Jews place themselves on the political right, Haredim and Masorti Jews are equally likely to place themselves on the right or in the ideological center. Most secular Jews — 62 percent — identify as centrists. Only 8 percent defined themselves as leftists. While 56 percent of Dati Jews place themselves on the political right, Haredim and Masorti Jews are equally likely to place themselves on the right or in the ideological center. Most secular Jews — 62 percent — identify as centrists. Only eight percent defined themselves as leftists.
Professor Hermann, who also directs surveys for the Israel Democracy Institute, a nonpartisan research center in Jerusalem, said she did not know whether to be shocked or to express reservations regarding the finding on the transfer of Arabs. “The phrasing of the question is very blunt,” she said, adding that Israeli surveyors have tended to be more specific. For example, many wrote into the question that they meant “voluntary” transfer or transfer for money and specified whether they meant Arab citizens of Israel.Professor Hermann, who also directs surveys for the Israel Democracy Institute, a nonpartisan research center in Jerusalem, said she did not know whether to be shocked or to express reservations regarding the finding on the transfer of Arabs. “The phrasing of the question is very blunt,” she said, adding that Israeli surveyors have tended to be more specific. For example, many wrote into the question that they meant “voluntary” transfer or transfer for money and specified whether they meant Arab citizens of Israel.
“I would feel uncomfortable incriminating the Israeli public based on that one question,” she said, adding that it would be “used as a weapon” by Israel’s critics.“I would feel uncomfortable incriminating the Israeli public based on that one question,” she said, adding that it would be “used as a weapon” by Israel’s critics.
Yehuda Ben Meir, an expert on Israeli public opinion at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, said that many Israeli Jews answered yes when asked about “voluntary” transfer. “People think ‘If they will go voluntarily, why not?’ ” he said. At the same time, he added, “If you ask Israeli Jews ‘do you view the integration of Arabs into the Israeli economy and society as important?’ most will say yes.” Yehuda Ben Meir, an expert on Israeli public opinion at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, said that many Israeli Jews answered yes when asked about “voluntary” transfer. “People think, ‘If they will go voluntarily, why not?’ ” he said. At the same time, he added, “If you ask Israeli Jews, ‘Do you view the integration of Arabs into the Israeli economy and society as important?’ most will say yes.”
Mr. Cooperman, of the Pew Research Center, said there was a decision to keep the question simple, especially since there is no actual policy proposal advocating transfer on the table now in Israel. “This is how Jews are reacting to the broad idea,” he said. “But people will point fingers at us.”Mr. Cooperman, of the Pew Research Center, said there was a decision to keep the question simple, especially since there is no actual policy proposal advocating transfer on the table now in Israel. “This is how Jews are reacting to the broad idea,” he said. “But people will point fingers at us.”
He added that the question should also be seen in the context of other findings, including that less than half of Israel’s Jews think a solution can be found to allow Israel and an independent state of Palestine to coexist peacefully. “If you pull the transfer question out in isolation, I can see how it can be used for propaganda about racism in Israeli society,” he said. “It should not be viewed in isolation.” He added that the question should also be seen in the context of other findings, including that less than half of Israel’s Jews think a solution can be found to allow Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully. “If you pull the transfer question out in isolation, I can see how it can be used for propaganda about racism in Israeli society,” he said. “It should not be viewed in isolation.”
The study’s margin of error was plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for Israeli Jews over all, but higher for each of the Israeli Jewish subgroups sampled. The margins of error were plus or minus 5.6 percentage points for Israeli Muslims, plus or minus 9.1 percentage points for Israeli Christians, and plus or minus 10.7 percentage points for Israeli Druze. The study’s margin of error was plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for Israeli Jews over all, but higher for each of the Israeli Jewish subgroups sampled. The margins of error were plus or minus 5.6 percentage points for Israeli Muslims, plus or minus 9.1 percentage points for Israeli Christians, and plus or minus 10.7 percentage points for Israeli Druse.