Israelis today define themselves more as Jews and less as Israelis alone, the 2026 Diaspora Index – Public Attitudes Toward the Relationship Between Israel and World Jewry report revealed.
A total of 57% of respondents defined themselves first as Jewish and only then as Israeli, compared with 34% in the equivalent survey one year earlier. This is the highest rate in the 10 years the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry has conducted the index survey.
The survey also revealed that 87% of Israelis are proud to be Jewish and that being Jewish is important to them, an increase compared with the previous two years. Furthermore, 85% agree that Judaism is much more than a religion and represents belonging to one people with a shared history and common roots.
Regarding Israeli views of the diaspora, a significant majority of 94% of Israelis expect Jews around the world to support Israel during wartime.
The survey also found that Israelis increasingly view intermarriage and assimilation among Diaspora Jews as a significant threat to the Jewish people.
Strengthening of personal Jewish identity among Israelis
The findings indicate a strengthening of personal Jewish identity among Israelis, accompanied by growing awareness of and concern about assimilation within Diaspora Jewish communities. Feelings of solidarity and fraternity with Diaspora Jewry remain consistently high.
At the same time, the survey found a decline in the degree of responsibility that Israelis believe the State of Israel should bear toward Diaspora Jewry.
The report describes this as a process of "identity consolidation": a strengthening of Jewish national identity and a growing sense of belonging to one people, combined with a belief that the State of Israel's primary responsibility is toward its own citizens and that resources should be allocated accordingly.
"The index highlights the importance of strengthening and maintaining the deep connection among the Jewish people across the world," said President Isaac Herzog, on presenting the report.
"The State of Israel regards its relationship with Jewish communities around the world as a value of the highest importance and an inseparable part of the nation's identity. It is our duty to continue nurturing this deep connection, strengthening the sense of mutual responsibility among all parts of the Jewish people, and passing on to future generations the importance of the bond between the State of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide," he said.
"For decades, Diaspora Jews strengthened the State of Israel. Today it is our turn to strengthen them," said Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli. "That is why we are expanding the Israeli government's investment in Jewish communities around the world. We understand that the most important investment is in Jewish education, the foundation of identity, mutual responsibility, and the future of the Jewish people."
Ensuring Jewish continuity through education
Avi Cohen-Scali, the Director General of the Ministry, said, "The only way to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people forever is through Jewish education. We will do everything we can to strengthen Jewish education and Jewish identity throughout the Diaspora in order to secure the future existence of the Jewish people."
The index publication comes in the middle of Diaspora Week, a national initiative led by the Minister together with the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI). Running from May 31 to June 6, 2026, the week aims to strengthen ties between the State of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
As part of these efforts, the Israeli government has approved three new government resolutions with a combined budget exceeding 100 million shekels to strengthen Jewish identity and connections to Israel among Diaspora Jews.
As part of the first, an education initiative, the Diaspora Ministry, together with the Education Ministry, will invest 30 million shekels between 2026 and 2028 to train Jewish educators from around the world through Israeli teacher-training institutions. The program focuses on Jewish studies, Israel studies, and Zionism.
The funding is expected to support the training of approximately 200–250 educators annually, who will spend several weeks in Israel as part of their professional development.
During the previous year, 10 educator-training programs were funded in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian.
For the first time, the program will also include a cohort of school principals and a cohort of early-childhood educators participating in a summer semester in Israel.
A second government initiative addresses challenges faced by educational and youth programs during periods of conflict and security emergencies.
In recent years, military operations have led to airspace closures, creating uncertainty for participants and families involved in programs such as Taglit-Birthright Israel or Masa Israel Journey.
The new policy directs the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs to represent participants' needs during emergencies and to develop coordinated emergency procedures with relevant government agencies and educational organizations.
Finally, the government will be expanding the Joint Initiative between the Government of Israel and the Jewish People in the Diaspora, allowing continued funding of up to ₪90 million through the end of 2027.
This will focus on bringing together Israeli and Diaspora youth, training educators in informal education frameworks, and developing innovative solutions to challenges facing young Jews in the Diaspora.
Yom Tov Raanan, Deputy Director General of the ministry, said they expect more than 2,000 educators from around the world to participate in training programs in Judaism, Israel, Zionism, and related fields over the coming year.
He also estimated that these government initiatives will enable meaningful encounters between more than 1,500 Israeli teenagers and over 10,000 Jewish teens from the Diaspora during the coming year.