A new public opinion survey shows most Israelis have adopted a more hawkish security posture in the wake of the October 7 attack, with majorities supporting military action against Hezbollah even at the risk of war with Iran, rejecting ceasefire agreements with armed groups, and opposing Palestinian statehood—a shift that reflects deepening skepticism toward diplomatic solutions and signals potential obstacles to any negotiated peace framework.
The survey, conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security in cooperation with Lazar Research and led by Dr. Menachem Lazar, found that 56% of Israelis support military action against Hezbollah even if it could lead to direct confrontation with Iran. A total of 79% of respondents said they do not trust ceasefires with Hamas and Hezbollah and believe such agreements do not ensure Israel's long-term security.
The Palestinian Question
On the Palestinian issue, 66% of Israelis said they oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. That figure has remained largely unchanged since the October 7 attack, now marking its second anniversary. The survey was based on a representative sample of Israel's adult population.
The findings suggest that the trauma of October 7 has solidified public opposition to territorial compromise at a moment when the international community continues to advocate for a two-state solution as the only viable framework for ending the conflict. The gap between Israeli public sentiment and the diplomatic consensus backed by the United States, European Union, and United Nations has widened considerably.
Attitudes Toward External Plans
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, down from 69% one year ago. The decline suggests growing impatience with external diplomatic initiatives that do not address immediate security concerns.
Respondents also expressed broad support for maintaining strategic security zones, preserving Israel's operational freedom along its borders, and continuing operations against regional threats.
Dr. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security, said the findings reflect a public that has become more cautious and security-focused since October 7. "The survey findings point to a more sober Israeli public, deeply influenced by the lessons of October 7 and the ongoing security reality in the region," said Diker. "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."
Deterrence Over Diplomacy
"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," added Diker. "These positions 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."
The survey results reflect a public mood shaped by trauma and threat perception, but they also reveal the political constraints facing any Israeli government that might seek to pursue a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians. With two-thirds of Israelis opposing statehood and nearly four in five rejecting ceasefire frameworks, the domestic political space for compromise has narrowed considerably since the second anniversary of the October 7 attack.
Why This Matters:
The hardening of Israeli public opinion documented in this survey has direct consequences for the viability of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With 66% of Israelis opposing a Palestinian state—the cornerstone of every major peace proposal since the Oslo Accords—and 79% rejecting ceasefire agreements with armed groups, the political foundation for a negotiated two-state solution has eroded significantly. This shift places Israeli leaders under domestic pressure to prioritize military deterrence over diplomatic engagement, even as the international community continues to insist that only a political settlement can provide long-term security. The gap between Israeli public sentiment and the diplomatic consensus of the United States, European Union, and United Nations represents a growing obstacle to peace efforts, with profound implications for millions of Palestinians living under occupation and for regional stability. The survey suggests that trauma from October 7 has deepened rather than resolved the underlying political impasse.