JERUSALEM (EJP)---A recent survey found that 43% of Israelis would oppose legislation banning the construction of minarets on Mosques built in Israel while 28% would support a ban, with 29% undecided. 

Last November, 57.5% of voters in Switzerland approved a referendum banning the construction of minarets on Mosques in their country.

The Israeli survey was conducted by The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU) through Keevoon Research.

Based in New York City, FFEU is dedicated to promoting racial harmony and strengthening inter-group relations. 

The strongest opposition to banning minarets came from the National Religious Israelis.  72% of them opposed possible legislation in Israel of whom 55% defined themselves as “strongly" opposed.

Among Hareidi (Ultra-Orthodox Jews) opposition was 53%, compared to 42% of secular Israelis, and 36% of traditional Israelis. 

Only 16% of the National Religious would support banning minarets compared to 21% of Ultra-Orthodox, 31% of traditional Jews and 29% of secular Jews. 

“When it comes to freedom of religion Israelis are apparently much more tolerant that their Swiss counterparts," said Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of the US-based FFEU.

"There is a definite correlation between religious observance and tolerance towards Islam.  Israelis seem to put politics aside as opposition to banning minarets actually increases as we move further to the right on the political spectrum.  The fact that less than one-third of all Israelis support banning minarets indicates that from the Israeli point of view, there is room for respectful coexistence between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs when it is based on religion and not politics.”

The telephone survey was conducted among 500 Jewish Israelis on December 30-31, 2009 and on January 3, 2010.  The margin of error is +/-4.5% .