New Immigrants Favor Center-Left Parties Over Likud, Survey Finds
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
A survey of recent Russian-speaking immigrants (2022-2026) shows they are younger, earn less, and are less likely to have served in the IDF than the general Israeli population. Politically, 49% identify as centrist, compared to 51% right-wing in the general population. Their preferred party is the center-left Democraticim (21%), while the Likud party received only 9% of their votes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Nearly half of recent Russian-speaking immigrants identify as centrist, a survey found.
- New immigrants are younger on average (47.5 years) and have lower incomes than other Israelis.
- The center-left Democraticim movement is the top choice for new immigrants (21%).
- The ruling Likud party received only 9% of the vote from recent immigrants.
- 38% of new immigrants live in Haifa and northern Israel, a higher concentration than average.
A recent survey of Russian-speaking immigrants who arrived in Israel between 2022 and 2026, referred to as the "pumpkin aliya," reveals distinct demographic and electoral patterns compared to the general Israeli population. This new wave of immigrants is notably younger, with an average age of 47.5 years, compared to 59 years in the broader survey sample. They also have a higher proportion of single, unmarried, and childless individuals, and a lower percentage of pensioners.
Economically, the average personal income for these new immigrants is 12,000 shekels gross per month, slightly below the general average of 13,800 shekels. Military service is also less common among this group, with only 4% having served in the IDF, compared to 18% in the overall sample. Geographically, 38% of the "pumpkin aliya" reside in Haifa and northern Israel, a higher concentration than the 29% average for other respondents.
Politically, nearly half (49%) of the recent immigrants identify with centrist or center-left ideologies, a significant contrast to the general population where 51% identify as right-wing. Only 28% of the new immigrants identify as right-wing, while 11% identify as left-wing, compared to 5% in the general sample.
Their electoral choices also diverge sharply. The center-left movement Democraticim, led by Yair Golan, emerged as the top choice for this group, garnering 21% of their votes, far exceeding its 7% average support. Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, received 19% of their votes, compared to 27% overall. The Bayahad movement (Naftali Bennett) and Yashar! (Gadi Eisenkot) each secured 19% and 18% respectively among new immigrants, higher than their general support of 17% and 12%. In stark contrast, the ruling Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, received only 9% of the vote from this demographic, significantly lower than its 20% average support. Other parties like Religious Zionism, Zehut, the Reservists and Economic Party, and Amcha Israel received minimal support from the "pumpkin aliya."
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