A comprehensive survey released Tuesday reveals a sharp rise in Israelis’ connection to Jewish-national identity, with the highest levels measured in the past decade. The data shows a majority of citizens now define themselves more as “Jewish” than simply “Israeli.”
The findings were published as part of Diaspora Week and reveal a striking figure: 87% of Israel’s public in 2026 are proud to be Jewish. The survey also found that even amid current tensions, Israel’s value-based and communal commitment to world Jewry remains deep and rooted in Israeli society.
The data shows a surge in Jewish-national identity from last year: 57% of the public now define themselves as Jewish before “Israeli,” compared to just 34% in last year’s survey. Additionally, 87% are proud to be Jewish and see it as a significant component of their identity—an increase compared to the previous two years.
Regarding closeness to Diaspora Jews, 72% of Israelis believe the State of Israel has a commitment to Diaspora Jewry—the highest figure measured in recent years. The survey also found that 85% agree that Judaism is far more than a religion, symbolizing belonging to one people with shared history and roots. A sharp increase in this view was recorded even among the secular public, where it reaches 82%.
94% of Israelis expect world Jewry to act on behalf of the state during wartime. Additionally, 66% of Israelis define assimilation as a significant threat to the Jewish people. Alongside this, there’s a strengthening of personal Jewish identity, parallel to rising awareness and concern about the phenomenon: 54% said assimilation troubles them personally—a significant increase compared to recent years. The rise in concern comes mainly from the secular and traditional public, not just from the religious and ultra-Orthodox sectors.
On the other hand, there’s a decline in the sense of practical responsibility attributed to the State of Israel toward Diaspora Jewry, as part of a process of “identity consolidation”—strengthening the Jewish nation and understanding that we are one people. The survey shows that as Jewish identity strengthens, support for practical commitment weakens: only 20% of Israelis today support allocating financial resources to assist Jews living in the Diaspora, a sharp drop from 40% last year. The percentage willing to donate their own money to strengthen Jewish identity in the Diaspora also fell to just 22%.
The 2026 Public Attitudes Index on the Connection Between Israel and the Diaspora comprises ten central variables reflecting different aspects of identity, mutual responsibility, and perception of obligation. The index is based on a survey conducted among a representative sample of 1,216 Israeli Jews aged 18 and over. The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism conducts this survey annually among Israeli society, aiming to reflect an updated situation and compare to previous years, while examining perceptions of identity, mutual responsibility, and commitment between Israeli society and Jewish communities worldwide.
Diaspora Week is a national week led by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism and the Ami administration, dedicated to strengthening the connection and mutual responsibility between the State of Israel and Jewish communities around the world. The week takes place between May 31, 2026 and June 6, 2026, and features events, meetings, and educational and community initiatives throughout the country, with participation from educational institutions, youth movements, pre-military academies, and social organizations.
