The Israel-Hamas war has dramatically shifted dating priorities in Israel, with 72% of singles on OkCupid now seeking serious relationships, according to data from the dating app.The app showed that 76% of women and 70% of men expressed interest in being in a committed relationship.A majority of Israeli singles reported returning to the dating scene during the war, which might be indicative of people’s need to develop personal connections during difficult times.
However, 31% of Israeli OkCupid users stopped dating during the war entirely, while 6% reported that they planned to return to the dating scene only after the end of the war.Many singles said what they were looking for in a partner has changed since the war began, with 50% of respondents finding attraction in partners who perform household tasks without being asked.
Dating pool decreases due to extended reserve duty
"The effects of the long war are felt in the singles market," Hadi Axelrod, a lecturer in the master’s program of family studies at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo and a couples and family counselor, said.
“The pool of available singles has significantly decreased, with many reservists aged 20-40 unavailable for dates.“Even when they return, the uniform creates an advantage in dating. Additionally, meeting places have changed. Fear of sirens and attacks has pushed dates from bars and cafes to homes and video chats, like during COVID-19. Conversations have become deeper and more personal, but traumas and emotional distress make it difficult to form meaningful connections,” Axelrod said.