Full Breakdown
Israeli Confidence in Trump’s Commitment to Israel’s Security Hits Record Low
7/10/2026, 6:27:04 AM
Core Findings: Decline in Perceived U.S. Prioritization
A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) conducted June 28–July 1, 2026 surveyed 754 Israelis (603 Jewish, 151 Arab). Only 28 percent overall—26 percent of Jewish respondents and 36 percent of Arab respondents—believe President Donald Trump regards Israel’s security as a primary consideration. This is down from 44 percent in May and 64 percent in March. Among Jewish voters, 81 percent of left-wing, 73 percent of centrists and 65 percent of right-wing respondents say Trump does not prioritize Israeli security.
Background: War with Iran and the U.S.–Iran Memorandum
The poll follows more than four months of a joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran launched in February 2026, which entered a truce on April 8. In May, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end hostilities; Israel was not a party. Israeli officials have criticized the MoU for lacking concrete nuclear concessions, and public sentiment reflects growing opposition: 68 percent of Israelis describe the agreement as “very bad for Israel,” with 72 percent of Likud voters sharing that view.
Public Opinion Data
Beyond the Trump-security question, 38 percent of respondents say Israel’s strategic situation is better today than before the war, while 36 percent say it is worse. Support for a permanent Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon remains high at 72 percent overall—80 percent among Jewish Israelis and 58 percent of Arab Israelis oppose it. The Jewish People Policy Institute’s Israeli Society Index shows that only 7 percent of Israelis have a “great deal of trust” in Trump, while 45 percent express no trust. Nevertheless, 74 percent still regard the United States as a true friend of Israel.
Official Statements from Leaders
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the enduring alliance, stating that “America has no greater ally than Israel and Israel has no greater ally than the United States.” He described Trump as “the greatest friend we ever had in the White House” and noted that the two leaders “see eye to eye 99 percent of the time,” while acknowledging occasional disagreements. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has publicly criticized Netanyahu, calling him “fucking crazy” and asserting that the Israeli leader “knows who the boss is.” In a separate interview, Trump told Axios that he and Netanyahu “get along very good” and that the prime minister “knows who the boss is.”
Criticism and Opposition
Israeli officials and analysts have warned that the U.S.–Iran MoU could undermine Israel’s security calculus, arguing that “a bad agreement is the most dangerous thing for us.” Senior Israeli officials have also highlighted the importance of sustained economic pressure on Iran, noting that “the economic pressure intensified greatly during the months of Operation Lion’s Roar.” Public opposition to the MoU cuts across the political spectrum, with 68 percent of Jewish Israelis labeling it “very bad for Israel” and only 14 percent viewing it as beneficial.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the IDI poll and the JPPI survey both document low confidence in Trump, they differ in methodology and focus—one measuring perceived prioritization of security, the other measuring overall trust. The AP-NORC poll of U.S. adults adds an external perspective, showing that 40 percent of Americans think the United States is “too supportive” of Israel, a view that has risen among Democrats. No data were provided on how Israeli public opinion may shift after the MoU’s implementation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have to point out this: Donald Trump is a great, the greatest friend we ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely,” — Benjamin Netanyahu
- “Anyone who said Trump turned his back on us was wrong. Talk of defeat was premature,” — Senior Israeli official
What’s Next
The IDI plans a follow-up survey in late 2026 to track shifts in Israeli confidence as the U.S.–Iran MoU progresses. Israeli policymakers are expected to debate the scope of the southern-Lebanon security zone and to reassess coordination with Washington amid the evolving diplomatic landscape.
