The 2006 Social Survey

The survey, based on a public opinion poll, illuminates the Israeli public’s sense of well-being and social confidence as well as its attitudes towards various social issues. This year, as every year, several questions were asked again in identical phrasing in order to provide an indication of trends in public attitudes. Also, as in previous years, several new questions were introduced pertaining to the public’s welfare. These questions were chosen due to their centrality in recent public debate. The survey provides an important addition and complement to the social picture provided by the Center’s annual report and analysis of social expenditure.

Three surveys were conducted this year (February, July, and September). Each of the survey periods chosen represents a theoretically different period of the year in terms of social, economic, security, and political affairs. Since 2006 was a year of rapidly shifting developments, it is of interest to determine to what extent the changes influenced the public sense of social confidence as reflected in the Taub Index and the other social indicators examined in the survey. The February survey was conducted while Ariel Sharon was still prime minister and the outlooks on the continuation of economic and political recovery were positive. The July survey was conducted after Ehud Olmert formed a new government following an election campaign that emphasized the “social agenda.” The September survey took place after the Second War in Lebanon and the beginning of a return to routine life.

This paper appears as a chapter in the Center’s annual publication, Israel’s Social Services 2006, Yaakov Kop (editor).