A new public opinion survey reveals that a significant majority of the Israeli public, 66%, continues to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. This figure, which has remained largely unchanged since the October 7 attack, reflects a sustained rejection of Palestinian self-determination and reinforces the ongoing denial of their rights to sovereignty and an independent state on their ancestral land. The survey, conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security in cooperation with Lazar Research and led by Dr. Menachem Lazar, provides insight into the prevailing attitudes that underpin the continued military occupation and settler-colonial expansion.
Rejection of Palestinian Self-Determination
The findings indicate a broad public consensus against any political framework that would grant Palestinians full self-governance. The 66% opposition to a Palestinian state underscores a public posture that aligns with policies of land confiscation, settlement expansion, and the fragmentation of Palestinian territory. This stance directly contradicts international calls for a two-state solution and perpetuates the conditions of military rule over millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip. The consistency of this opinion since the October 7 attack suggests a hardening of positions that further entrenches the existing power imbalance.
Endorsement of Military Control
Further solidifying support for continued military occupation, 79% of respondents stated they do not trust ceasefires with Hamas and Hezbollah, believing such agreements do not ensure Israel’s long-term security. This widespread skepticism provides public backing for ongoing military operations, collective punishment, and the rejection of negotiated solutions with Palestinian and regional resistance movements. The survey also found that 56% of Israelis support military action against Hezbollah, even if it could lead to direct confrontation with Iran. This reflects a public endorsement of aggressive regional military policies that have profound implications for the stability of the broader Middle East and the lives of those living under occupation.
Respondents also expressed broad support for maintaining strategic security zones, preserving Israel’s operational freedom along its borders, and continuing operations against regional threats. These positions translate into public support for the continued military presence in occupied territories, the expansion of buffer zones that seize Palestinian land, and the enforcement of movement restrictions and checkpoints that characterize the apartheid system. Dr. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security, stated that the findings reflect a public that has become more cautious and security-focused since October 7. Diker added that Israelis are "seeking real security rather than promises, and are showing increasing skepticism toward arrangements that are not based on Israel’s independent ability to defend itself."
Unilateral Security Posture
The survey also measured attitudes towards US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, a proposal for the enclave’s future governance framework. It found that 57% of Israelis support the plan, a decrease from 69% one year ago. While support for this specific plan has declined, its initial and continued backing by a majority signifies public acceptance of externally imposed frameworks for Palestinian governance, rather than those rooted in Palestinian agency and self-determination. Dr. Diker emphasized that "the central message emerging from the survey is that most of the Israeli public prefers deterrence, security control, and independent operational capability over reliance on external guarantees." This statement highlights a public preference for unilateral military action and control, rather than adherence to international law or multilateral diplomatic efforts aimed at a just resolution to the conflict. These positions, Diker concluded, are "evident both in relation to the Iranian and Hezbollah threats, in relation to ceasefires, and in relation to the issue of a Palestinian state."