Israel Democracy Institute

Large share of Israelis prefer holding new elections if no coalition formed, IDI survey shows

Across demographics, Israelis are approaching October 27 with cautious optimism, according to a recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute.

Election campaign billboards featuring Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party are displayed along a roadside in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, October 17, 2026
Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a welcoming parade in Jerusalem for Haredi draft dodgers following their release from military prison, during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, September 29, 2026.

Majority of Israelis back haredi draft law, October 7 inquiry, IDI survey finds

Calls for a state commission of inquiry have continued as Israelis seek an authoritative account of the failures that led to October 7. Families of victims of the October 7 attacks and supporters hold photos and signs during a protest march on July 2, 2026, in Tel Aviv.PremiumPremium

As Israel delays a state inquiry into October 7, conspiracy theories fill the void - analysis

Jewish men pray at the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, October 1, 2024

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


Almost half of Israelis do not think you can remove Hamas and release hostages - poll

Israel Democracy Institute found that 68% of respondents would prioritize returning the hostages, compared to 25% who would prioritize toppling Hamas.

A Palestinian Hamas terrorist speaks with a Stephanie Eller before the release of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 15, 2025.

'Loyalist’ Shin Bet head could dismantle democracy, says Israel Democracy Institute VP - interview

"This could have dramatic, far-reaching implications for the independence and professionalism of the entire public service,” Navot wrote.

 Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, at a state ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 of last year which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 27, 2024.

Purim Shpiel: Itamar Ben-Gvir voted Israel's Sexiest Man Alive

Purim Shpiel: The following is a satirical article from The Jerusalem Post's annual parodic Purim page, The Jerusalem Roast. Enjoy!

 Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Fifth of Israelis displaced by war out of work, survey shows

Around a third of Israeli households have reported a fall in their incomes since the start of the war, a proportion that reached as high as 44% among households in the north.

 Smoke billows over northern Israel after rockets were fired from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, by Israel's border with Lebanon, May 17, 2024.

Significant number of voters undecided who to vote in next Israeli election, IDI report reveals

Approximately 26% of those who expressed that they would not be voting for Likud again declared that they were unsure who they would vote for or declined to respond entirely. 

 The entrance to the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem on May 25, 2013, established in 1991, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Jerusalem, Israel. It goals are to formulate policies and initiate reforms to strengthen the democracy values in Israel.

War results in 50% business decline for Israel's self-employed, survey finds

The survey—with 1,236 respondents—sought to assess the financial impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the Israeli workforce.

 Worker installing scaffolding on building.

Controversial bill advances to heavily tax foreign state donations to NGOs

According to the proposal, donations to NGOs from a “foreign state entity” will be taxed 80%, but the finance minister, can award a tax exemption in “special circumstances."

 The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative).

Support for Hamas control of Gaza rose 20% among Arab Israelis - IDI survey

When asked who should govern Gaza after the war, most Jewish respondents preferred a multinational force, rather than Israeli control.

 Hamas terrorists parade as they prepare to hand over hostages.

Lack of voting opportunities, calls for reforms to strengthen Israel’s democracy - IDI report

The study notes that Israel stands apart from developed democracies by offering citizens only two direct voting opportunities.

 A man casts his vote in the Israeli general elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem, on November 1, 2022.

Appointing Isaac Amit risks further eroding trust in Israel’s judiciary - editorial

To appoint Amit, as brilliant a jurist as he might be, to lead the country’s highest court under a cloud of unresolved conflict-of-interest allegations is counter-productive.

 PRESIDENT ISAAC Herzog receives the official election results from Supreme Court Justice Isaac Amit, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, on Wednesday.