Couple (illustration)
Couple (illustration)Thinkstock

A new poll has found that Jews in Israel find the continuation of the Jewish people important, regardless of their own level of religious devotion.

The poll, conducted by Marketwatch Institute for the NGO "Itim" which aids those seeking to convert to Judaism, included 500 respondents representing a diverse section of the Israeli public.

It found that no less than 86% of the respondents said it was important or very important to them that their children marry Jewish spouses.

Significantly the poll found that those identifying themselves with various segments of the religious spectrum all shared this value, which was held by 99% of those identifying as religious or haredi, 96% of traditional Jews, as well as 75% of secular Jews.

On the topic of conversation, a more diverse opinion was found.

A total of 60.3% of the Israeli public opined that the conversion process to Judaism in Israel is too difficult and should be made easier.

However, only 25.4% of religious and haredi said that process is too difficult, indicating their support for traditionally strict standards applied to those seeking to join the Jewish people. Among traditional Jews that figure was up to 50.7%, and among secular Jews it was as high as 80.5%.

The poll also found that the younger generation shows more support for the stricter standards of conversion that the older population.

While 51.9% of those aged between 18 and 24 felt the process is too difficult, that figure was up to 71.5% among those aged 55 and older.