Political Identity

This article compares the political attitudes, civic identities, and voting behavior of Haredi communities in the United States and Israel, drawing on parallel survey research conducted in both settings. Bringing together data from large Haredi samples in the two countries, the study examines national identity, attachment to democracy, political orientation, voting participation, perceived voting influence, and attitudes toward Zionism and transnational Jewish belonging. The findings reveal both important commonalities and striking differences. In both contexts, Haredim display a predominantly conservative political orientation and high levels of electoral participation. At the same time, American Haredim report stronger identification with and pride in their country, greater support for democracy, and higher levels of happiness than their Israeli counterparts. The study also finds that Israeli Haredim are more likely to report being told how to vote, primarily by rabbis, whereas American Haredim are more often influenced by community activists and family members. In addition, American Haredim express stronger attachment to Israel than Israeli Haredim do toward diaspora Jewry, underscoring an asymmetry in transnational belonging. By placing these two communities side by side, the article demonstrates how shared religious worlds can yield distinct political cultures when shaped by different national contexts, and highlights the importance of studying Haredi political life as both transnational and locally embedded.