Weekly Commentary: Poll of Haredis Finds War Hasn’t Changed Their Attitudes Challenging Israel’s Future
Dr. Aaron Lerner 24 August 2024
This poll of Haredis serves as an important warning of the extent that Haredi society is both out of touch with reality and for the most part having no intention to actively participate in defending the country.
The only glimmer of hope from the poll is the finding that majority ( 53%) would like their boys to learn English and math.
The following are the results of a poll conducted between July 14-16 via telephone interviews with 451 respondents from the Haredi community. The sample is representative of the Haredi sector. The poll was conducted for TheMarker with a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. The poll was carried out by the Askaria Research Company, specializing in research within the Haredi sector. The results were published in Hebrew in The Marker 16 August 2024:
1: The Haredi community needs to participate in national security through military or significant national service
• Strongly agree: 6%
• Somewhat agree: 13%
• Neutral: 21%
• Somewhat disagree: 53%
• Strongly disagree: 7%
2: Haredi individuals who do not study Torah should be required to serve in the military
• Strongly agree: 18%
• Somewhat agree: 16%
• Neutral: 19%
• Somewhat disagree: 40%
• Strongly disagree: 7%
3: The Haredi community should focus on Torah study and avoid military or other national service
• Strongly agree: 49%
• Somewhat agree: 16%
• Neutral: 17%
• Somewhat disagree: 7%
• Strongly disagree: 11%

4: Following the war in Gaza, has there been a change in your stance on Haredi enlistment?
• No opinion on the matter: 8%
• No change in my stance, I oppose Haredi enlistment: 63%
• No change in my stance, I support Haredi enlistment: 11%
• My stance has changed, I oppose Haredi enlistment more than before: 9%
• My stance has changed, I support Haredi enlistment more than before: 9%
5: In light of the recent war and the security challenges, the IDF offers paths suitable for Haredim, including maintaining the Haredi lifestyle, with additional professional training during the service. Would you agree that your son should enlist in one of these tracks?
• Absolutely certain he should: 8%
• Think he should: 12%
• Not sure: 11%
• Think he should not: 12%
• Absolutely certain he should not: 62%
• Don’t know: 7%
6: What would help you consider mandatory enlistment of your son in one of the tracks offered to Haredim?
• There is no such thing: 75%
• A track that ensures the preservation of his Haredi lifestyle: 12%
• A track that combines Torah study: 3%
• Guidance from rabbis: 3%
• Commanders who act according to Halacha (Jewish law): 1%
• A son who does not study Torah—he should enlist: 1%
• Other: 3%
7: In your opinion, do Haredim contribute more or less than other groups to the security of the state?
• Much more than other groups:
• May 2023 poll: 32%
• July 2024 poll: 39%
• More than other groups:
• May 2023: 15%
• July 2024: 16%
• About the same:
• May 2023: 30%
• July 2024: 27%
• Less than other groups:
• May 2023: 17%
• July 2024: 10%
• Much less than other groups:
• May 2023: 3%
• July 2024: 3%
• Don’t know:
• May 2023: 3%
• July 2024: 5%
8: In your opinion, do Haredim contribute more or less than other groups to the economy of the state?
• Much more than other groups:
• May 2023: 23%
• July 2024: 16%
• More than other groups:
• May 2023: 17%
• July 2024: 10%
• About the same:
• May 2023: 47%
• July 2024: 48%
• Less than other groups:
• May 2023: 6%
• July 2024: 16%
• Much less than other groups:
• May 2023: 2%
• July 2024: 3%
• Don’t know:
• May 2023: 5%
• July 2024: 7%
9: What is your stance on integrating the study of mathematics and English in Haredi boys’ educational institutions?
• July 2024:
• In favor: 53%
• Against: 37%
• Don’t know: 10%
• May 2023:
• In favor: 37%
• Against: 55%
• Don’t know: 8%
10: If the halt in the budgeting for yeshiva students who do not enlist remains unchanged, do you think this will affect the rate of Haredim entering the workforce?
• The rate of Haredim working will significantly increase: 5%
• The rate of Haredim working will slightly increase: 20%
• The rate of Haredim working will slightly decrease: 2%
• The rate of Haredim working will significantly decrease: 2%
• No impact: 62%
• Don’t know: 9%
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