Most religious Zionists prefer dialogue over legislation to solve Israel's social issues - poll

A Tzohar poll at their annual conference found 79% of religious Zionist attendees favor grassroots dialogue over legislation to resolve social issues, with only 15% supporting new laws. The conference addressed religion-state dynamics amid recent changes like Bnei Brak's gender-segregated streets and a bill freezing haredi draft dodger arrests.

A Tzohar poll conducted at their annual conference on Tuesday revealed that 79% of religious Zionist attendees prefer grassroots dialogue over legislation to solve Israel's social issues, while only 15% believe new laws are the solution. The conference, held at the Tel Aviv Expo, drew nearly 3,000 participants and focused on the theme "For the Sake of Heaven and Earth." It followed significant religion-state developments, including Bnei Brak becoming the first Israeli city to legislate gender-segregated streets on July 14, and the Knesset passing a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft dodgers. Tzohar founder Rabbi David Stav addressed distorted perceptions of religion, noting a "huge thirst for spirituality" among secular Israelis but lamenting that Torah is often seen as "not moral, haredi, not realistic." The poll and conference reflect the religious Zionist community's desire to have a voice on key issues.