The events of October 7 led to a severe blow to public confidence in government ministries and public service:

• 90% of the public believe that government ministries were not prepared to function in a state of war.
• About 90% of the public believe that the number of government ministries should be reduced. It is evident that there is widespread support for this across different political camps, with 82% of right-wing voters also agreeing that the number of government ministries should be reduced.
• 86% of the public believe that the number of government ministries is based on political need and not on professional considerations. A claim that also receives support from 77% of right-wing voters.
• 50% of the public across all political camps responded that they would consider whether to vote for a particular political entity, based on the quality of service of the government ministry for which it is responsible.

The Israeli public is reluctant about appointments in the public service that are based solely on political considerations. The public understands the need for elected officials to appoint trusted individuals who can implement their policies, but demands that the appointments meet professional standards.

• 59% of the total population support the appointment of confidants to key positions, only if they have the professional qualifications for the role.
• 65% of the population believe that public servants are selected based on political connections.
• Only 11% of the total population support the appointment of confidants. In contrast, 47% oppose the appointment of confidants, and believe that the appointment method should be professional only.
• 64% of the total population believe that the appointment of ministers’ confidants to key positions in the public service, harms it and weakens it.

As part of the research, the public was asked about the role of gatekeepers in government ministries:

• 58% of the public believe that gatekeepers in government ministries and their units (legal advisor, accountant, internal auditor, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, and more), help maintain the rule of law and the public coffers. It is evident that right-wing voters were divided regarding their answer to this question, with 43% responding that gatekeepers help maintain the rule of law and the public coffers, and 41% responding that they interfere with the efficient functioning of the government.

Public Trust. 1. To what extent do you think government ministries were prepared to function in a state of war? 90% of the public: Government ministries were not prepared to function in a state of war. Only 8% claimed that the public service was prepared or very prepared in a state of war.

2. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The number of government ministries should be reduced? About 90% of the public believe that the number of government ministries should be reduced. It is evident that there is widespread support for this across different political camps, with 82% of right-wing voters also agreeing that the number of government ministries should be reduced.

General distribution:

Distribution based on ideological tendency:

3. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The number of government ministries is based on political need and not on professional considerations? 86% of the public believe that the number of government ministries is based on political need and not on professional considerations. In contrast, only 8% did not agree that the number of government ministries is based on political needs. When examining the question according to ideological tendency, it can be seen that 77% of right-wing voters agree that the number of government ministries is based on political need and not on professional considerations.

General distribution:

Distribution based on ideological tendency:

4. Will the quality of service of a certain ministry positively or negatively affect your consideration to vote for the political entity in charge of the ministry? About 50% of the public across all political camps believe that the quality of service of a certain government ministry will influence voting considerations for the political entity in charge of the ministry. In contrast, 29% believe that the quality of service does not affect voting and 19% replied that they do not know.

Appointments. 5. Do you think public servants in government ministries are selected based on professional qualifications or political connections? Only about 4% of the public believe that public servants in government ministries are selected based on professional qualifications. In contrast, 65% believe that public servants are selected based on political connections, and 24% believe that they are selected based on professional qualifications and political connections in equal measure.

6. What is your opinion on the appointment of ministers’ confidants to professional positions in government ministries? Regarding the appointment of ministers’ confidants to professional positions in government ministries, only 11% of the total population support the appointment of confidants, claiming that only in this way can the minister implement his policy. In contrast, 47% oppose the appointment of confidants, and believe that the appointment method should be professional only. 35% of respondents replied that the appointment method depends on each case individually.

7. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: Appointments of ministers’ confidants to key positions in the public service harm it and weaken it? 64% of the total population believe that the appointment of ministers’ confidants to key positions in the public service, harms it and weakens it. 23% do not agree that these appointments harm the public service. When examining the question according to ideological tendency, 50% among right-wing voters believe that the appointment of ministers’ confidants to key positions in the public service harm and weaken it.

General distribution:

Distribution based on ideological tendency:

8. To what extent do you agree with the following statement: Appointment of a confidant is an appropriate appointment if he has the qualifications and abilities to implement the minister’s policy optimally? 59% of the public support the appointment of associates to key positions, provided they have the qualifications and abilities to implement the minister’s policy optimally. In contrast, 34% of respondents do not agree with the appointment of associates, even in the case that they have the qualifications and abilities to implement the minister’s policy.

Gatekeepers

9. Gatekeepers in government ministries and their units (legal advisor, accountant, internal auditor, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, and others) – do they help maintain the rule of law and the public coffers or interfere with the efficient functioning of the government? 58% of the total population believe that gatekeepers in government ministries and their units, help maintain the rule of law and the public coffers. In contrast, 27% believe that gatekeepers interfere with the efficient functioning of the government. It is evident that right-wing voters were divided regarding their answer to this question, with 43% responding that gatekeepers help maintain the rule of law and the public coffers, and 41% responding that they interfere with the efficient functioning of the government.