Support for Ongoing War Against Iran Among Jewish Israelis Declines

A recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) reveals that 78% of Jewish Israelis support the continuation of the war against Iran, although the intensity of this support has diminished over the past month. The survey, conducted from March 22-26, indicates a notable increase in opposition among Jewish respondents, with 11.5% now opposing the war, compared to just 4% in earlier polls. Among Arab Israelis, support remains significantly lower, with only 19% in favor of the war and 71% opposed.

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The IDI survey highlights a shift in public opinion regarding the war's continuation. While 50% of Jewish respondents expressed strong support for the war, this figure has decreased from 74% at the beginning of March. The survey also reveals that a plurality of 35% of Jewish respondents believe Israeli society can sustain the war only until the end of March, while 28% think it can continue "as long as it takes." In contrast, Arab respondents exhibit strong skepticism, with a majority attributing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's motivations for launching the war to "mainly personal-political considerations," as opposed to security-related reasons favored by a majority of Jewish respondents.

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The survey results illustrate a stark divide between Jewish and Arab Israelis regarding the war's justification and expected outcomes. Among Jewish respondents, 62% believe Netanyahu's motives are primarily security-related, while 27% view them as personal-political. Conversely, 55% of Arab respondents attribute the war to personal-political motivations. This divergence extends to perceptions of Iran's military capabilities, with both groups acknowledging that Iran has proven to be more resilient than anticipated, although the degree of this belief varies.

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The Israeli government has articulated that the US-Israeli military campaign aims to degrade Iran's military capabilities and mitigate threats posed by the Islamic Republic. However, the growing skepticism among the public, particularly among Jewish Israelis, raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the war effort.

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While the IDI survey indicates a decline in fervent support for the war among Jewish Israelis, the exact reasons for this shift remain unclear. The survey's margin of error is 3.56%, and the full results will be published next week, which may provide further insights into the changing public sentiment.

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• “Only 19% of Arab respondents support the war, down from 27% at the start of the month, the IDI finds.” — Israel Democracy Institute

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This evolving public sentiment reflects the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict and its implications for Israeli society.

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