Full Breakdown
Public Sentiment in Israel During Operation Roaring Lion
3/8/2026, 1:18:01 AM
Overview of Operation Roaring Lion
Operation Roaring Lion, a joint military initiative by the United States and Israel against Iran, commenced on March 1, 2026. Following the outbreak of hostilities, a survey conducted by the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute assessed public sentiment among Israeli citizens regarding the operation and its implications for national security.
Key Findings from the Survey
The survey, conducted from March 2-3, 2026, included 3,217 respondents aged 18 and above, representing a balanced demographic across gender, age, religion, region, and political affiliation. The results indicated a significant shift in public morale and perceptions of safety since the war began.
Support for the Operation
An overwhelming majority of Jewish Israelis (93%) expressed support for Operation Roaring Lion, contrasting sharply with only 26% of Arab Israelis. Support varied by political orientation among Jewish respondents: 97% of right-wing, 93% of center, and 76% of left-wing respondents favored the operation.
Trust in Leadership
Trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's management of the operation was notably high among Jewish respondents, with 74% expressing confidence. However, only 16% of Arab respondents shared this sentiment. Trust levels varied significantly by political affiliation, with 85% of right-wing Jews trusting Netanyahu, compared to just 40% of left-wing Jews.
Sense of Safety
The survey revealed that 64% of Israelis felt fairly or very protected from Iranian attacks. This perception of safety was markedly different between Jewish and Arab respondents, with 74% of Jews feeling secure compared to only 15% of Arabs. Gender differences were also evident, as Jewish men reported feeling safe at a rate of 81%, while only 22% of Arab men felt the same.
Changes in Public Morale
The outbreak of war has led to a notable increase in concern for personal and national safety. Prior to the conflict, 22% of Israelis expressed significant concern for their personal safety, which surged to nearly 45% post-war. Similarly, concern for national security rose from one-third to nearly 50%. Despite these concerns, optimism about Israel's future increased from 37% to approximately 50% among respondents.
Criticism and Opposition
While the survey results indicate strong support for the operation among Jewish Israelis, the stark contrast in sentiment among Arab Israelis highlights a significant divide. The low trust in Netanyahu's leadership among Arab respondents and their limited support for the operation suggest a critical perspective on the government's military strategy.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The survey's findings reflect a complex landscape of public opinion, with significant differences between Jewish and Arab populations. The lack of detailed responses from Arab respondents regarding the duration of the operation, where 52% indicated uncertainty, underscores a gap in understanding their perspectives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “An overwhelming majority of Jewish Israelis (93%) voiced their support for Operation Roaring Lion in a survey released by the Israel Democracy Institute on Wednesday, compared to only 26% of Arab Israelis.” — Israel Democracy Institute
- “Only 16% of Arab Israelis responded that they trusted Netanyahu in this regard, while 74% of Jewish Israelis trusted him in at least some capacity.” — Israel Democracy Institute
- “Most (64%) of Israelis feel fairly or very protected from Iran's attacks.” — Israel Democracy Institute
The survey results provide a nuanced view of Israeli public sentiment during Operation Roaring Lion, revealing both strong support and significant divisions within the population.
