Israel Democracy Institute

Who goes to Uman for Rosh Hashanah? IDI releases new poll as holiday approaches

Uman, a city in central Ukraine, is the burial site of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810), the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement.

Jewish men pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, October 1, 2024
 THE ZIONIST identity didn’t overcome the Jewish identity, nor did the opposite occur: An IDF soldier puts on tefillin.

National-religious men overrepresented in IDF reserves as haredim stay absent, IDI analysis finds

New York Times columnist Bret Stephens delivered the "State of World Jewry" talk at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, Feb. 1, 2026.

'Jewish terrorists': Pro-Israel columnist Bret Stephens speaks against West Bank settler violence

US VICE President JD Vance and President Donald Trump listen to Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House, April 23, 2026, during an earlier round of talks. Trump leads now; Vance and Rubio are next. Israel was in the room as an ambassador, not a principal.

Editor's Notes: Israel just met the America that comes after Trump - comment


‘Stage two’ of Karhi’s controversial broadcasting bill proposes radio reform

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi launches "stage two" of his media overhaul with a plan to reshape Israel’s radio market, despite legal warnings and mounting opposition.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi seen at a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on October 22, 2025

Less than half of Israelis believe Hamas will relinquish control of the Gaza Strip - poll

While an Israel Democracy Institute study found that national mood is trending upwards, 72.5% of Israelis expressed doubt that Hamas will be replaced by a multinational ruling body.

A drone view shows Palestinians and Hamas terrorist gathering on the day of the release of Israeli hostages, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.

Majority of Israelis want war to end, Netanyahu to resign, IDI poll finds

The Israel Democracy Institute found that 66% of Israelis surveyed believe that the Israel-Hamas War should be ended by the current hostage deal on the table.

A memorial ceremony at the Nova festival marking two years since the October 7 massacre when Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, murdering more than 1200 people. October 07, 2025.

'A serious and unacceptable act': Venetian mayor condemns antisemitic attack on Jewish tourists

The incident follows another report of a Jewish couple being attacked in Venice last month.

Hasidic Jews look at directions from a London street map in Westminster in Westminster, London, England, 18 June, 2025.

Poll shows deep divide in Israeli attitudes toward teaching divisive issues in schools

Dr. Tammy Hoffman: "The survey shows that a substantial share of the public - nearly one-third - is opposed to addressing matters relating to the war and other political issues in the classrooms."

 CLASS IS in session for Arab students at the Beit Hanina neighborhood’s Noreen school.

Editor's Notes: Israel’s media landscape has changed, and so has the country - comment

After October 7, Israelis moved from TV bulletins to social feeds, with Channel 14 gaining ground.

Many Israelis will base all of their information on these news-aggregating WhatsApp groups.

78% of Jewish Israelis believe IDF tries to avoid harming civilians, majority of Arabs disagree

Similarly, most Jews trust the IDF’s reports on Palestinian civilian casualties and soldier suicides, while a majority of Arab Israelis express skepticism. 

 IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip. March 30, 2024.

Israeli businesses adapt to AI models - what does that mean for future of country's workforce?

AI can either complement human labor, freeing employees for more complex tasks, or substitute workers, potentially leading to technological unemployment.

 An illustrative image of artificial intelligence.

Knesset's new law on religious courts and what it means for democracy - opinion

The bill in question would further expand their authority, allowing rabbinical courts and Sharia courts to rule as arbitrators on civil matters.

Knesset constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman (standing) speaks to Justice Minister Yariv Levin in the Knesset plenum.

Majority of Israeli Jews and Arabs believe Trump prioritizes Israel’s security – IDI poll

When asked whether Israel had achieved its goals in the conflict with Iran, a notable difference was seen between Jews (60%) and Arabs (37%).

 L to R: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump against backdrop of respective flags and missile strikes.