Is the issue of ultra-Orthodox recruitment truly the supreme value in Israeli public life, or is it secondary to the question of "Yes Bibi - No Bibi"? And is Israel facing a constitutional crisis surrounding Itamar Ben-Gvir's tenure?
A survey by the Direct Polls Institute for the i24 channel provides surprising answers.
At the center of the survey was the question of priorities, which was split between the camps to isolate the voters' true motivation.
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The results reveal a mirror image: politics trumps ideology on both sides.
Among opposition voters, an overwhelming majority of 66% responded that if they had to choose, they would prefer the end of Netanyahu's rule, even at the cost of postponing the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox. Only 29% of them were willing for Netanyahu to remain prime minister in exchange for the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF.
Among coalition voters, loyalty to the right-wing bloc is even stronger: 761% of them prefer to maintain the government even without the recruitment of Haredim, and only 191% would be willing to overthrow the government to promote recruitment.
In general: 71% of the Israeli public place the fate of the Netanyahu government - positively or negatively, above the issue of conscription.
Dramatic draw: Ben Gvir and the High Court
Another explosive question dealt with the scenario in which the High Court of Justice would disqualify the tenure of Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, as the Attorney General is demanding.
The Israeli public is split exactly down the middle: 49% believe that Netanyahu should obey the ruling and fire Ben Gvir, 49% believe that Netanyahu should refuse the ruling and disobey the High Court of Justice.
When divided into camps, the polarization is perfect: 87% from the opposition demand obedience, while 85% from the coalition demand disobedience.
The public does not believe Lieberman
The survey also examined the credibility of Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman, who declared that he would not sit in a government supported by the Arab parties.
A large majority of the public - 62%, stated that they do not believe this statement. The lack of trust is especially pronounced on the right - 84%, but it also exists within the opposition, where opinions are almost evenly divided: 42% believe him, compared to 38% who do not.
The sample was collected and compiled by Direct Polls Ltd., headed by Tzuriel Sharon, for the i24NEWS channel, on January 7, 2026, using a digital system combined with a panel, among 502 adult respondents (18+) who constitute a representative sample of the general population in Israel. The statistical sampling error is ±4.4% with a probability of 95%.
