As of 2018, 31.8% of the Israeli Jewish population self-identified as Ashkenazi, excluding immigrants from the former USSR [1]. A majority of immigrants from the former USSR also self-identify as Ashkenazi, comprising an additional 12.4% of the Israeli Jewish population [1] [6].

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Ashkenazi Jews are a Jewish ethnic group whose ancestors originated in Central and Eastern Europe [1] [10]. They form a distinct subgroup of the Jewish diaspora, emerging in the Holy Roman Empire in the Early Middle Ages [8]. Historically, they followed the German rite synagogue ritual and spoke Yiddish, a language derived from Middle High German with significant Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic influences [10] [11].

The Ashkenazi population in Israel has played a significant role in the country's economy, media, and politics since its establishment [1] [123]. During the early decades of Israel, there was considerable cultural conflict between Ashkenazi and Sephardic/Mizrahi Jews, with Sephardic groups often marginalized by Ashkenazi-dominated institutions [1] [7]. This conflict is largely attributed to the "melting pot" concept, where all Jewish immigrants were encouraged to shed their distinct exilic identities to become "Israeli" [1] [124] [126].

Political trends among Ashkenazim in Israel today generally lean towards left-wing and centrist parties, such as Blue and White and Yesh Atid [1] [11]. This contrasts with Mizrahi Jews, who tend to favor right-wing parties like Likud [1] [11]. Historically, Ashkenazi prominence on the left has been linked to socialist ideals and the Labor Zionist movements [1] [12]. Ashkenazi Israelis are also generally less devout, more socially liberal, and hold more favorable views toward improving relations with Arab peoples, as well as greater opposition to West Bank settlements, compared to Israelis of Sephardic and Mizrahi descent [1] [15].

Genetic studies indicate that Ashkenazi Jews have both Levantine and European ancestry [26] [29]. While early studies suggested a predominantly Middle Eastern origin for paternal lineages and a significant European contribution to maternal lineages [26] [27] [168], more recent research, such as a 2025 statistical review, suggests a unified Near Eastern origin for both paternal and most maternal lineages, tracing back to about 150 Near Eastern families [31].