Shimon Peres. The favorite
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Peres – presidential candidate closest to Judaism, poll says
With presidential elections nearing, 55 percent of public see Peres as closest to Jewish faith, says Ynet-Gesher poll. Labor leadership's Ami Ayalon seen closest to Judaism by 83 percent
After weeks of courting voters, illustrating years of working for the Jewish cause and the successful prevention of former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau's presidential candidacy, the moment of truth has arrived. Which presidential candidate is the most Judaism friendly?
Ynet and Gesher, an educational organization dedicated to bridging the gap between different segments in Israeli society, conducted – through the Mutagim institute – a poll spanning a representative sample of Israeli, Hebrew speaking society.
Fifty-five percent of the poll's participants said they thought Vice Premier Shimon Peres was the candidate closest to Judaism.
MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) followed with 39 percent, while only 6 percent saw MK Colette Avital (Labor) as close to the faith.
Religious segmentation brought different results, as 72 percent of religious Jews thought Rivlin was the candidate closest to faith. Fifty-seven percent of the haredim agree.
Sixty-six percent of observant Jews prefer Peres as the candidate closest to Judaism. Peres is favorite among secular Jews as well, as 54 percent of them see him as such.
Avital enjoyed the highest rate of support among observant Jews – eight percent of them perceived her as closest to religion.
A Labor of faith
The poll also looked at the public's perception of the candidates for Labor premiership, on the eve of the second round of elections.
Sixty-one percent of those asked found MK Ami Ayalon closest to Judaism, while 39 percent viewed Ehud Barak as such.
Ayalon is favored in all religious segments. The poll showed 83 percent of haredim perceived him as closest to the faith. Sixty-two percent of religious Jews, 65 percent of traditional Jews and 55 percent of the poll's secular participants, agree.
Shoshi Beker. CEO of Gesher said most participants link their preference with the candidate's potential closeness to the faith.
