Israeli Polling Firms Face Scrutiny Over Undisclosed Political Ties and Conflicts of Interest
Election polls in Israel are widely presented as objective snapshots from independent research institutes. However, many polling firms simultaneously provide strategic consulting and conduct internal polls for political parties, a dual role rarely disclosed to the public. This creates a potential conflict of interest, as pollsters may advise politicians while also publishing public polls measuring those same politicians' support.
The Israeli polling market is small and interconnected, with many professionals moving between roles as political consultants and pollsters. Examples include Yossi Tatika, a former political spokesperson who advises Knesset members while conducting polls for media outlets, and the Maagar Mochot institute, which lists clients such as the Likud party alongside major media organizations. Other cases involve Direct Polls, owned by Shlomo Filber, who advised the New Right party while providing polls for public broadcaster Kan 11, and Meno Geva, owner of Midgam, which conducts polls for Channel 12 while having had former Netanyahu associate Ron Dermer as a shareholder.
Industry insiders acknowledge these overlapping roles as common practice, with some admitting that pollsters sometimes favor parties they work with by small margins. This "under-the-table" exchange remains undisclosed to viewers, raising ethical concerns about transparency. Critics argue that undisclosed political ties undermine public trust in polls and media, which currently stands at only 43% according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.
A decade ago, a special committee led by former Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch recommended stricter transparency rules requiring pollsters to disclose any political clients during election periods. Despite thorough research and expert testimony, these recommendations were never legislated, reportedly due to political vetoes from the Prime Minister's Office. Former Interior Minister Ophir Pines-Paz and Professor Karin Nahon, both committee members, criticized the political obstruction that left the polling sector unregulated.
Pollsters themselves express mixed views on transparency. Some warn that full disclosure of all political clients is impractical and could harm public confidence, while others emphasize the importance of publishing detailed methodologies. The prevailing industry stance is that commercial interests and professional standards prevent deliberate data manipulation, though the lack of public disclosure remains a significant ethical gap. The article highlights the need for regulatory reform to enhance transparency and restore public trust in Israeli election polling.
