The war against Hamas has triggered a notable spiritual and ideological transformation among young Israeli, with a growing number embracing religious practices and right-leaning political views, according to a new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI).

The data shows that 33% of Jewish Israelis aged 25 and under report an increase in religious observance since the outbreak of the war—compared to 27% of the general Jewish population. The surge is even more pronounced among young Jews identifying as “traditional, somewhat religious,” where a majority (51%) say they’ve intensified their religious practices.

Prayer has seen the sharpest rise, with 38% of Jewish youth reporting they pray more frequently. Other expressions of faith, including Bible reading (26%), synagogue attendance (14%), and lighting Shabbat candles (14%) have also grown. Overall, 35% of young Jews say their belief in God has strengthened during the war.

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This religious reawakening comes hand-in-hand with a political shift. The share of Jewish Israelis identifying as “hard right” nearly doubled from 11% to 19%, while those leaning “right” rose from 24% to 28%. Even among self-identified leftists, nearly half admitted to drifting politically rightward in recent months.

Interestingly, the pattern was reversed among secular Jews, many of whom reported decreased religious observance and a weakening of faith since the war began.

An Israeli soldier prays in an IDF staging area near the border with Gaza, July 27, 2014. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.

The survey also polled Israeli Arabs and found notable, if less dramatic, religious shifts. About 23% reported deepened engagement with traditional customs during the war. Increases were reported in prayer (32%), modest dress (12%), and participation in church or mosque services (10%). Some 37% said their faith in God had grown—outpacing the increase among Jewish respondents.

JPPI President Shuki Friedman said the data reflects a trend already visible in Israeli society: “Many in Israel—especially among the young—feel that the war has connected them more deeply to tradition and to Jewish identity,” he said. “Not necessarily in a halachic sense, but in a way that’s more present in their daily lives and in the public space.”

While it remains to be seen whether these shifts are temporary or enduring, the study paints a picture of a society undergoing rapid cultural recalibration, with the trauma of war fueling both spiritual reflection and political hardening.

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