Most Israelis support a firm security approach toward regional threats, express deep skepticism toward ceasefire agreements with terrorist groups, and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to a new public opinion survey conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security.
The survey, based on a representative sample of Israel's adult population, was conducted in cooperation with Lazar Research and led by Dr. Menachem Lazar. It found that 56% of Israelis support military action against Hezbollah even if it could lead to direct confrontation with Iran.
Ceasefire Skepticism Rooted in Experience
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 overwhelming skepticism reflects a public shaped by the second anniversary of the October 7 attack and years of broken agreements with terrorist organizations.
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.
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.
Security Control Over Diplomatic Guarantees
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."
"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."
Why This Matters:
The survey reveals a fundamental shift in Israeli strategic thinking driven by the second anniversary of October 7 and the failure of past security arrangements. The public's overwhelming rejection of ceasefires with Hamas and Hezbollah reflects lived experience with agreements that terrorist organizations have repeatedly violated to rearm and regroup. The preference for independent operational capability over external guarantees speaks to a core security dilemma: Israel cannot outsource its defense to international actors who lack the will or capacity to confront Iranian proxies. The sustained opposition to a Palestinian state reflects not ideology but the practical reality that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has demonstrated the capacity or willingness to govern peacefully alongside Israel. These attitudes will shape Israeli policy choices on Gaza's future, military operations against Hezbollah, and any diplomatic initiatives that require territorial concessions without ironclad security arrangements.