A new survey conducted by Hebrew University researchers highlights a striking divide in Israeli public opinion on the ongoing military campaign against Iran, with broad support among Jewish Israelis and overwhelming opposition from Arab Israelis.
The survey, led by Dr. Gayil Talshir and Dr. Nimrod Nir, paints a picture of how Israel's diverse populations perceive escalation, their emotional responses, and their trust in institutions.
The survey, conducted in recently, reveals that 83% of Jewish Israelis support the military strike against Iran, with 46% backing the idea of striking Iran's nuclear facilities even without US support.
Only 16% of Jewish Israelis prefer a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. This reflects a broader confidence in Israel's security institutions, with the Israeli Air Force and Mossad earning the highest levels of trust.
Emotions among Jewish Israelis are positive overall, with 28% expressing pride, 24% feeling hopeful, 35% reporting fear, and only 13% expressing feelings of despair. 57% of Jewish Israelis, a majority, believe the conflict will result in greater national unity, a sentiment notably absent in Arab-Israeli responses.
In stark contrast, Arab Israelis exhibit overwhelming opposition to the military campaign. Only 12% of Arab Israelis support the attack on Iran, with a staggering 73% favoring a diplomatic solution. When asked about the potential for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, just 11% of Arab Israelis support military action without US backing, and 6% support action only with US cooperation.
Emotions among Arab Israelis are dominated by fear, with 69% reporting feelings of fear and 25% expressing despair. Only 2% report feeling pride, and 3.5% hope. Additionally, 56% of Arab Israelis believe the campaign will deepen societal divisions, while only 23% see it as a unifying force.
Public trust in security agencies
The survey portrays trust from the Israeli public in security agencies, notably the Air Force and Mossad; the findings also reveal that both the government and the security cabinet have received the lowest ratings.
The public's uncertainty about the campaign's leadership is also mirrored in trust levels for government figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On strategic goals, Jewish Israelis are largely divided: 56% favor the complete dismantling of Iran's military and nuclear capabilities, while 44% support a diplomatic resolution. In contrast, Arab Israelis overwhelmingly prefer diplomacy, with only 14% favoring the military dismantling of Iran’s capabilities. Additionally, 78% of Arab Israelis say Israel should comply with US demands to halt the military campaign if asked.
Regarding another one of Israel’s issues at its forefront is a pending hostage deal. Support for a deal that would end the Gaza campaign in exchange for the return of hostages has grown significantly since the escalation with Iran. 71% of Jewish Israelis now support such a deal, up from 68% before the Iran campaign. Arab Israelis show even stronger support, with 99% in favor of the deal.
Overall, just under 70% of Jewish Israelis are confident in the preparedness of the Home Front Command. On the other side, a stark 25% of Arab Israelis echo this feeling. This sheds light on a stark contrast in perceptions of national readiness for a prolonged conflict.