The polarization between different sectors in Israel is greater than ever, a recent poll by the Aluma equality advocacy group and the ERI research institute found Wednesday.
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According to the poll, only 53% of secular Israelis are willing to live alongside Haredim.
The ultra-Orthodox community has been severely criticized for its flouting of public health directives during the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in skyrocketing morbidity in the community.
Antagonism is so strong at this point that 69% of secular Israelis reported that they would rather have Arab neighbors than Haredi ones, and 62% said they would rather live next to Bedouins than the ultra-Orthodox.
Among Masorti (conservative) Israelis, 78% said they would have no objection to having Haredi neighbors, 54% wouldn't mind living alongside Arabs, and 54% are willing to live next door to Bedouins.
Of religious Israelis, 96% said they would have no problem living alongside ultra-Orthodox neighbors, 32% would not object to living next to Arabs, and 28% are willing to live next door to Bedouins.
Among ultra-Orthodox respondants, only 12% reported that they would have no objections against living alongside Arabs, and 15% said they would oppose having Bedouins neighbors.
The poll also analyzed each sector's willingness to connect with these sectors on social media.
Seventy-seven percent of secular Israelis said that they wouldn't be against connecting with Haredim on social media, 82% reported the same in relation to Arabs, and 79% in relation to Bedouins.
Eighty-five percent of Masorti Israelis are willing to connect with Haredim online, 62% said the same in relation to Arabs, 63% with regard to Bedouins.
Ninety-four percent of religious Israelis would not object to connecting with the ultra-Orthodox online, 50% reported the same willingness in relation to Arabs, and 53% about Bedouins.
Some 20% of Haredim said that they would be willing to connect with Arabs on social media, 41% reported the same with regard to Bedouins.
The survey included 1268 Israelis, most of whom answered the survey online, and a small number that responded to questions over the phone.
"There's no doubt that the greatest tension exists between the ultra-Orthodox and secular Israelis," said the author of the study, Dr. Gali Sambira.
"The conclusion that emerges from the poll is that liberals would like to be considered as such, but in reality, they are only liberal towards the sectors that are convenient for them. For example, they are liberal towards Arabs, but not towards Haredim, while traditional Israelis are liberal towards religious Israelis and the ultra-Orthodox. Each group considers itself to be liberal.
"The poll analyzed, among other things, whether the coronavirus increased the polarization. The answer is a whopping 'yes.' Seventy-four percent of Haredim reported that the situation has become worse. We feel it in real life as well – if I cough on the bus, I feel like a hired assassin. If a Haredi gets on the bus, he immediately feels like an enemy to the people.
"At first look, the data makes it seem like the Israeli society is crumbling. But in my opinion, the data shows that it is possible to coexist side-by-side with the understanding that we are different. We must act now to allow groups that feel "uncomfortable" to feel better when interacting with other sectors. Israeli society is extremely diverse; that has many advantages and disadvantages. The wisdom is to find the way we can live in the same city, even if we live in different neighborhoods."
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