After October 7, the Orthodox became even more religious - poll

After the war of October 7, faith strengthened among 31% of Israel's Jewish population, but mainly among those who were already close to religion. According to the 2026 Religion and State Index, 65% of ultra-Orthodox and 54% of religious reported a strengthening of faith, while among secular individuals only 9%. A mass return to religion, as after the Yom Kippur War, did not occur. Support for civil marriage remains high (60-70%), and 59% expressed support for separating religion from the state. The rift between left and right was deemed the most acute by 81% of respondents.

According to the 2026 Religion and State Index, prepared by the HIDUSH organization, after the October 7 massacre and the subsequent war, faith strengthened among 31% of Israel's Jewish population. However, a mass return of secular Israelis to religion did not occur: those who became more religious were primarily ultra-Orthodox, religious, and traditionally observant Jews. 65% of ultra-Orthodox, 54% of religious, and 42% of traditionally observant reported a strengthening of faith. Among secular respondents, only 9% reported strengthened faith, while 12% stated they had moved away from it. Significant differences were also found between political camps: among right-wing supporters, 45% reported strengthened faith, while in the political center it was 11%. One factor that may be curbing a wave of religiosity is public dissatisfaction with the draft evasion of approximately 80,000 ultra-Orthodox. The Index also records stable support for civil marriage (60-70%) and separation of religion from the state (59%). The rift between left and right was deemed the most acute by 81% of respondents, surpassing the conflict between ultra-Orthodox and secular (74%).