Poll Shows Religious Strengthening Primarily Among Ultra-Orthodox Post-October 7

A new survey indicates that while some Israelis reported a strengthening of faith following the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war, this trend is predominantly observed among the ultra-Orthodox and religious sectors. The 2026 "Religion and State Index" by the Hiddush organization found that 31% of the general public felt their faith had increased, but this figure rose to 65% among the ultra-Orthodox, 54% among the religious, and 42% among those identifying as traditional.

Conversely, among secular Israelis, only 9% reported a strengthening of faith, while 12% felt their faith weakened. Similar patterns emerged across political divides, with 45% of those on the right reporting increased faith compared to only 11% in the center, where 10% drifted further from faith. The survey also noted that 11% of the total public felt a closer connection to tradition, a sentiment most common among traditional individuals.

The survey, conducted annually since 2009 by Hiddush, which advocates for religious freedom and equality, polled a representative sample of 800 Jewish adults. It revealed that support for civil marriage and divorce remains high in principle (60-70%), but personal inclination is more conservative, influenced by family expectations. Notably, the desire for Orthodox-only marriages for oneself or children has decreased significantly from 61% in 2013 to 50% in the latest index, with a rise in those preferring cohabitation without marriage.

Regarding the separation of religion and state, 59% of respondents supported it, a figure consistent with the index's first measurement in 2009. Public opinion on public transportation operating on Shabbat shows a strong majority in favor (65-75%), including 30% of the religious and 96% of the secular population, framing it as both a religious and social issue.

The survey also highlighted a growing identification with non-Orthodox streams of Judaism, with 7% of Israelis identifying as Reform and 5% as Conservative, indicating a desire for a different form of Jewish practice. The most significant societal conflict identified by respondents has shifted from religious-secular divides to the political rift between the left and right, with 81% citing it as a primary conflict, surpassing the 74% who identified the secular-ultra-Orthodox divide.