Mosque in Geneva
Photo: AFP
Poll: Israelis more tolerant of Islam than Swiss
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding survey finds less than one-third of all Israeli Jews support banning minarets. 'Results prove there is room for respectful coexistence between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs when it is based on religion and not politics,' foundation's president Rabbi Schneier says
A survey conducted in recent days by The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) through KEEVOON Research found that 43% of Israel's Jews would oppose legislation banning the construction of minarets on Mosques built in Israel while 28% would support a ban, with 29% undecided.
In November 2009, 57.5% of voters in Switzerland approved a referendum banning the construction of minarets on Mosques in their country.
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The strongest opposition to banning minarets came from National Religious Israelis. Seventy-two percent of them opposed possible legislation in Israel, of whom 55% defined themselves as “strongly" opposed. Among ultra-Orthodox Jews opposition was 53%, compared to 42% of secular Israelis, and 36% of traditional Israelis. Only 16% of the National Religious would support banning minarets compared to 21% of ultra-Orthodox, 31% of traditional Jews and 29% of secular Jews, the poll showed.
“When it comes to freedom of religion Israelis are apparently much more tolerant that their Swiss counterparts," said Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of the US-based FFEU, "There is a definite correlation between religious observance and tolerance towards Islam. Israelis seem to put politics aside as opposition to banning minarets actually increases as we move further to the right on the political spectrum.
"The fact that less than one-third of all Israeli Jews support banning minarets indicates that from the Israeli point of view, there is room for respectful coexistence between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs when it is based on religion and not politics,” he said.
Likud voters express strongest support for ban
Politically, the results were very interesting and corroborated the other demographic information. Ninety-two percent of National Union voters oppose banning minaret construction, of which 65% defined themselves as “strongly" opposed. Following them were voters from United Torah Judaism with 68% opposing legislation, 66% of Meretz voters, 64% of Yisrael Beitenu voters, 55% of Shas voters, and 54% of Habayit Hayehudi voters.
Voters from the 3 main parties, Labor, Kadima and Likud opposed the measure by 43%, 42%, and 41% respectively, according to KEEVOON director Mitchell Barak.
When looking at support for legislation to ban minarets, voters from the Likud expressed the strongest support with 41% followed by Yisrael Beitenu voters with 36%, Kadima voters with 31%, Labour voters with 27%, UTJ voters with 22%, Jewish Home and Shas voters with 20%, and National Union voters with only 8%.
Gender- and age-based trends were also found. Men expressed support by a margin of 34% versus 22% of women. Thirty-eight percent of people aged 45-54, and 34% of 18-24 year olds, 33% of people aged 55-64 support banning minaret construction compared with only 18% of 35-44 year olds, 21% of 25-34 year olds, and 26% of people 65 and over. The opposition to legislation based on gender and age was very close to the total of 43%.
Respondents were also asked if the Swiss legislation changed their opinion of Switzerland. Thirty-seven percent responded that it didn’t change their view, while 25% said they had a more positive view as a result, and 19% had a more negative view.
The telephone survey was conducted by KEEVOON Research in conjunction with Mutagim. 500 Jewish Israelis were interviewed December 30-31, 2009 and on January 3, 2010. The margin of error is + / - 4.5%.
