Full Breakdown
Israeli Public Confidence in Trump's Prioritization of Israel's Security Hits Record Low
7/8/2026, 6:39:32 AM
Core Findings of the June 2026 Israel Democracy Institute Survey
A poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) from June 28 to July 1 2026 found that only 28 % of Israelis believe President Donald Trump regards Israel’s security as a central consideration. The share fell from 44 % in May and from 64 % in March. Among Jewish respondents the figure was 26 %, while 36 % of Arab respondents expressed the same view.
Background: U.S.–Israel Relations Amid Iran Negotiations
The survey followed Washington’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with Iran and the joint U.S.–Israel war launched against Iran in February 2026. Ongoing U.S.–Iran talks have intensified Israeli scrutiny of American policy, prompting the IDI to gauge public confidence in the bilateral security partnership.
Data & Statistics
- Sample size: 754 adults (including 151 Arab) in one release; 603 Jewish and 151 Arab respondents in another, with a margin of error 3.57 %.
- Confidence in Trump’s prioritization: 28 % overall; 26 % Jewish; 36 % Arab.
- Perception of Israel’s strategic situation: 38 % say it is better than before the Iran war; 36 % say it is worse (up 8 pp from April).
- Support for a permanent Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon: 72 % overall, 80 % among Jewish Israelis, while 58 % of Arab Israelis oppose the zone.
- View of current U.S.–Israel tensions: 54 % of Jewish Israelis see them as temporary, 34 % as a longer-term deterioration; Arab Israelis are split (47 % temporary, 46 % lasting shift).
- Travel impact: 56 % report that the regional threat environment influences their travel decisions.
Political Landscape and Public Sentiment
Skepticism about Trump’s commitment cuts across Israel’s political spectrum: 81 % of left-wing voters, 73 % of centrists, and 65 % of right-wing voters believe the president does not prioritize Israeli security. The poll also recorded a broader decline in optimism regarding national security, democratic governance, the economy, and social cohesion.
Official Statements from the Israel Democracy Institute
The IDI described the results as “a sharp decline in confidence that the United States, under President Trump, places Israel’s security at the center of its foreign-policy agenda.” The institute emphasized that the findings reflect “growing public concern about the country’s security outlook amid the war with Iran and ongoing U.S. negotiations with Tehran.”
Criticism & Opposition Within Israel
Critics argue that U.S. diplomatic overtures to Iran undermine Israel’s strategic position, prompting calls for a more autonomous security posture, such as maintaining a permanent presence in southern Lebanon even if it strains U.S. relations. The poll’s high support for the Lebanon security zone illustrates this opposition to perceived U.S. disengagement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two IDI releases differ in respondent composition—one cites 754 participants, the other 603 Jewish respondents—creating a minor discrepancy in sample description. Additionally, the surveys do not include statements from U.S. officials, leaving the American perspective on Israeli concerns undocumented.
Implications for U.S.–Israel Relations
The record-low confidence may pressure U.S. policymakers to reaffirm security commitments or adjust diplomatic strategies with Iran. Within Israel, the data could influence electoral debates and legislative priorities, especially regarding defense policy and foreign-policy alignment with the United States.
What’s Next
The IDI plans to continue tracking Israeli public opinion as U.S.–Iran negotiations evolve and as Israel approaches upcoming national elections. Future surveys will assess whether the perceived temporary nature of current tensions translates into sustained policy shifts on both sides.
