WORRYING: Poll shows one third of Israelis distrust all government

A comprehensive survey conducted for Israel Hayom by the Tachlit institute and published today (Wednesday) shows public support for all three branches of government - the Knesset, the Supreme Court, and the government - at a nadir.

The poll found that around 34% of Israeli citizens do not trust any branch.

The Supreme Court, which once enjoyed widespread consensus and public support across political lines, is now solely supported by a majority of voters for the non-Netanyahu camp and among secularists.

Thus, although 41% of those polled trust the Supreme Court, that number increases to 65% among voters for opposition parties and drops to just 12% among supporters of the coalition.

Broken down in terms of religious affiliation, just 4% of Haredim, 14% of religious Zionists, and 37% of traditionalists support the Supreme Court. Only secularists provide a majority of support, albeit a bare one, at 52%.

Coalition and opposition voters are sharply divided as to the greatest threat to Israel. 65% of coalition voters believe that the security situation presents the greatest threat, while 63% of opposition voters believe that social rifts and cleavages represent the main danger.

Trust in the government, meanwhile, stands at just 15%, and for the Knesset - just 10%. 67% of those polled believe the government controls the Knesset, and even 49% of voters for the coalition feel the same. That said, 62.7% believe that Knesset members faithfully represent their constituents.

In terms of what voters would like to see moving forward, a bare majority of 53.2% believe that Israel needs a broad governing coalition representing different parts of Israeli society. Just 15.1% believe in a narrow government with a clear ideological line, and 23.5% say it depends on the government's policy (the remainder don't know).

Overall, Israelis deeply distrust the government at present but generally desire broader consensus and representative government.