Nearly half of Israelis want entertainment venues closed on Tisha B'av, poll finds

A recent poll by the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization indicates a significant portion of Israelis desire a national mandate for entertainment venues to close during Tisha B'av. The survey, which polled 508 individuals, found that 49.6% believe public demand for a uniform law, mirroring closures on Remembrance Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day, is necessary.

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Almost half of Israelis want entertainment venues closed on Tisha B'av, a new poll published by Tzohar Rabbinical Organization on their Mashav TV channel found, ahead of the day in the Jewish calendar that commemorates the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which begins on Wednesday night and runs until Thursday evening.

The findings highlight a division in public opinion regarding the observance of Tisha B'av, a day commemorating the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. While nearly half advocate for national enforcement, 35.6% of those surveyed prefer decisions to be made at the local authority level. A smaller group, 14.8%, believes no legislation or enforcement is needed at any level.

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Of the 508 people surveyed, 49.6% said the public should demand a national uniform law requiring entertainment centers to close, as they do on Remembrance Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Demographic breakdowns reveal further nuances. Support for a national law was slightly higher among men (52.2%) than women (47.1%). Religious observance also played a key role, with 96.8% of ultra-Orthodox Jews favoring national closures, compared to 29.2% of secular Jews. Conversely, secular Jews were more inclined towards local decision-making (49%) or no legislation (21.7%).

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However, 35.6% of those surveyed believe this should be decided at the local authority level rather than at the national level.

The poll also delved into specific demographics, including secular women, Conservative Jews, and those aged 25-34. Among secular women, a majority (52.4%) supported businesses' right to choose whether to remain open, while 27.8% favored enforced closures. Conservative Jews showed a stronger inclination towards enforced closures (57.3%).

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A minority, at 14.8%, believe that there should be no legislation or enforcement at either the national or local level.