Tu B'Av Outside the Rabbinate: Most Israelis Support Recognition of Civil Marriage

A new Hiddush survey ahead of Tu B'Av reveals that 65% of opinion-holders in the Jewish public support recognition of all types of marriage in Israel. Support is particularly high among secular Jews (89%) and voters of the 'change bloc' (93% for 'Together', 90% for 'The Democrats' and 'Yashar!'). In contrast, only 47% of Likud voters and 21% of Shas voters support it. The survey was conducted among 800 people in July 2026.

A new survey by the Hiddush organization, published ahead of Tu B'Av, indicates broad support among the Jewish public in Israel for state recognition of all types of marriage, including civil, Reform, and Conservative. 65% of opinion-holders support this, though there is a slight decrease from 67% in a similar 2024 survey. Support is especially high among the secular public (89%, down from 92% in 2024) and among voters of the 'change bloc' parties: 93% among 'Together' voters, 90% among 'The Democrats' and 'Yashar!' voters, and 86% among 'Yisrael Beiteinu' voters. Also, 55% of undecided voters support it. Among Likud voters, support dropped from 60% to 47%. A surprising figure is 21% support among Shas voters, compared to 9% among United Torah Judaism voters. The survey also examined marriage framework preferences: 49% would choose Orthodox marriage, 16% Conservative or Reform, 20% civil (11% abroad, 9% Utah marriage), and 15% partnership without marriage. 25% expressed no opinion. The survey was conducted among 800 people in July 2026, with a sampling error of 3.3%.