How 15 Months of Conflict Are Tearing Israeli Society Apart

Shattered Trust: Israel's Most Explosive Survey Reveals Deep Societal Cracks

After 15 months of ongoing conflict in Gaza, disillusionment has become a common sentiment among both Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. A recent survey conducted by Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) reveals a significant decline in confidence in the government, with both communities expressing skepticism about the war’s objectives and future outcomes.

Eliana Fleming | JFeed | 20:01 26.01.25 | 1 min read

People walking next to the Light rail on Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem, January 5, 2025 ( Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

According to the survey, only 25% of Jewish respondents and 9% of Arab respondents expressed confidence in the government’s handling of the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval ratings mirrored these results, showing 33% support among Jewish Israelis and just 8% among the Arab population.

The survey also highlights mixed feelings about the war’s objectives. While 51% of Jewish respondents believed that the war could be won to a large extent or fully, 38% felt that few or no objectives would be achieved. Arab respondents, however, were more pessimistic, with only 22% expecting significant accomplishments for Israel, while 52% believed the conflict would result in limited or no success.

A striking shift in opinion was also observed regarding the idea of a Palestinian state. Some 64% of Jewish Israelis now oppose the creation of a Palestinian state "under any condition," while only 12% of Arab-Israelis expressed support for it, and 29% remained undecided. This represents a significant change from historical trends. Between 2006 and 2019, Jewish Israeli support for a conditional Palestinian state dropped from 71% to 55%, and by 2022, it had fallen further to 50%.

Regarding Gaza, about a third of Jewish respondents favored the annexation of Gaza, with more than half of those (52%) supporting the reestablishment of settlements in the region. In contrast, 51% of Jewish Israelis preferred transferring control of Gaza to either a moderate Palestinian party or an international entity. Among Arab respondents, only 8% supported annexation, with 54% favoring regional or Palestinian control and 38% uncertain.

On the northern front, Jewish Israelis were divided over the recent ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. While 50% supported the ceasefire, 27% opposed it, and 48.5% believed that the terms of the ceasefire might prevent evacuees from returning to their homes.

This growing disillusionment across both Jewish and Arab communities reflects deepening divisions and uncertainties surrounding Israel's future direction amid the prolonged conflict. As the war continues, many Israelis are grappling with an evolving and increasingly complex political landscape.

JBN contributed to this article.