Shocking poll: IDF gains faith, Government loses – What’s behind Zamir’s rise?

A recent survey conducted by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) highlights a notable surge in public confidence in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its incoming Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The poll indicates that 73 percent of Israelis now express high trust in the IDF—either to a large or fairly large extent—up from 66 percent in the previous month. When broken down by demographic, the data reveals a stark divide: 84 percent of Jewish Israelis report strong trust in the military, compared to just 30 percent of Arab Israelis.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who recently assumed his role as Chief of Staff, has personally seen a 15 percent boost in trust since February, before he took office. Currently, 50 percent of respondents express high confidence in him, though 16.5 percent remain unsure about their stance on his leadership. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit also enjoys a renewed wave of support, with 60 percent of the sample indicating high trust, a five percent rise from the prior month. Trust in the Air Force is equally robust, standing at 73 percent overall—83 percent among Jews and 35 percent among Arabs.

The survey delves into perceptions around Zamir’s decision not to promote former IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, with 59 percent believing it stemmed primarily from tensions with the Minister of Defense and Prime Minister, while only 26 percent attribute it to professional factors. Meanwhile, trust in other institutions paints a contrasting picture. Only 23 percent of the public report high trust in the government, and confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits at 29 percent overall—35 percent among Jews and a mere 3 percent among Arabs. Similarly, Defense Minister Israel Katz garners 25 percent trust across the sample, with 30 percent among Jews and 6 percent among Arabs. The Israel Security Agency (ISA) fares better, with 65 percent of Jews expressing high trust, compared to 29 percent of Arabs.

On the dismissal of Ronen Bar, 64 percent of respondents believe Netanyahu acted mainly for personal reasons, while 33 percent see it as a professional decision. Trust in the Attorney General has risen to 44 percent from 39 percent in January, with Jews at 41 percent (up slightly from 39 percent) and Arabs showing a significant jump from 42 percent to 57 percent. This INSS poll underscores a complex landscape of trust in Israel’s leadership and institutions as of April 2025.