Dati leumi voters believe that Bayit Yehudi erred when it permitted Shas to take control of the Ministry of Religious Services. However, most of the community is satisfied with the ministerial portfolios achieved by the party, a new poll shows.

470 men and women over the age of 16 of a group of 1,350 were polled on the internet. 27% responded they classify themselves as dati leumi torani, 35% classic dati leumi, 23% liberal dati leumi and 15% religious but not one of the categories mentioned. Margin of error is 4.5%. The poll was conducted by ‘Mesaker’.

81% of the respondents are satisfied with Bayit Yehudi’s ministerial appointments achieved in coalition talks with 32.6% moderately satisfied, 37.5% very satisfied and 11% totally satisfied.

80.8% are pleased with Bayit Yehudi’s handling of coalition negotiations.

As a baseline for satisfaction regarding coalition agreements, 41.1% expressed minimal satisfaction with the agreements reached with Yahadut Hatorah and Shas.

Surprising to some, 65.5% of respondents are not satisfied or only minimally satisfied with the conduct of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during coalition negotiations because he was less than genuine with Bayit Yehudi and signed with the party last among coalition members. This is particularly surprising considering four seats that went to Likud likely came from the dati leumi voters.

Respondents were asked if they believe the coalition will last due to the minimal majority. 56% believe that the homogenous makeup of the coalition will permit it to last however, due to the small majority, 53% of respondents believe there will be new elections within two years.

48% feel the government will be compelled to abandon significant area of its agenda just to survive politically.

85.9% of respondents feel Bayit Yehudi should not abandon control of its ministries towards expanding the coalition. 75% add that Bayit Yehudi may not compromise on its core issues to permit the coalition to survive.

When asked about Bayit Yehudi backing down from its demand to control the Ministry of Religious Services to Shas, 54.8% feel it was a serious political error that may cost the party dearly in the future.

71% feel it was not a social catastrophe and 43.2% feel that giving in to Shas will not harm state religious services.

52.5% feel Bayit Yehudi’s achievements in the Ministry of Religious Services will all be lost as a result while 22% are relieved to see the chareidi party running the ministry.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)