Old values in the new homeland: political attitudes of FSU immigrants in Israel

Abstract

Political orientation and electoral behaviour of Former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrants in Israel differ significantly from the old-timers with similar demographic characteristics. We explore the main social and demographic factors that may explain attitudes expressed by FSU immigrants toward democratic values, with the emphasis on their Soviet/post-Soviet background. Despite apparent continuity in the value orientations, the findings also point to the on-going process of political re-socialization among FSU immigrants. Among adult immigrants, the years after migration do not seem to affect their values, while the youth socialized partly in Israel is prone to a more democratic outlook.