By A.M. Goldstein

HAIFA —Almost every Israeli believes poverty exists in Israel, according to a University of Haifa survey. All of the Arab population and 96% of the Jewish population believe this, the survey found. 

In regard to next week's election, 14% of the survey interviewees would vote for parties on the right, 26% for center parties, 33% for parties on the left, and 13% for parties according to their sector (Arab, Haredi, or immigrant). The remaining 14% are undecided.

This survey, conducted in the past couple of weeks, by Dr. Peninah (Tzipi) Ron and Dr. Karen Or of the University of Haifa 's School of Social Work, included 836 Israeli citizens, from age 18 to 85. The investigators wanted to learn how people viewed their own personal economic situation now and in the future, as well as how the government handled poverty. They looked at how this influences the way people vote.

They found that 98% of the population sees the government as responsible for dealing with poverty. However, only 36.5% feel the government actually fulfills its responsibility in helping the people. In contrast, 48.2% believe humanitarian and non-profit organizations to be responsible, and 84.7% think such bodies carry out this responsibility.

As for the local authorities, 80% believe they are responsible for dealing with poverty, and 28.9% see it as in fact doing the job. Lastly, 31.4% see religious organizations and institutions as responsible, and 52% believe they actually carry out their responsibility.

The researchers stated, "The citizens know who should deal with poverty, but they also know who actually does so. These are the secular, non-profit organization and the religious organizations. These people think that the state of Israel shirks its responsibility as a welfare state." They concluded, this factor influences how the public votes.

As long as one sees the state's treatment of poverty as unsuccessful and only worsening the situation, the researchers said, he will vote for parties more on the left.

The center parties fared the best among persons who believed their economic situation was better than their parent's at the same age. And even if his economic situation is worse than his parent's, he will also be more inclined to vote for the center party.

A.M. Goldstein is the English language editor for the University of Haifa's Department of External Affairs.