Divided Nation: Israeli Poll Reveals Deep Splits Over Gaza Policy and Palestinian Statehood
2025 | Middle East Politics & Public Opinion
Key Findings: A Nation at Odds With Itself
The 13th annual foreign policy index survey conducted by the Mitvim Institute in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation reveals an Israeli public grappling with the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and deeply skeptical of their government's diplomatic approach.
The survey reveals deep divisions among Israelis about relations with Palestinians and the future of Gaza.
Perhaps the most striking finding is that 51% of Israelis reject any Israeli action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while only 17% support such action for moral reasons. This comes despite 57% expressing concern that Israel is becoming a "pariah state" due to its actions in Gaza.
Humanitarian Crisis: Denial and Responsibility
The survey reveals a significant disconnect between Israeli perceptions of responsibility and international views on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Reject Humanitarian Action
Oppose Israel taking action to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis
Support for Moral Reasons
Back addressing humanitarian situation for ethical considerations
Deny Israeli Responsibility
Believe Israel bears no responsibility for Gaza's humanitarian conditions
This disconnect occurs amid UN reports warning that Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid are leading to "collective deprivation" for Gaza's population, with severe shortages of food, fuel, and healthcare.
Political Solutions: Contradictory Attitudes Toward Palestinian Statehood
The survey reveals seemingly contradictory positions on political solutions to the conflict, with majority support for a comprehensive peace package that includes a Palestinian state, alongside growing support for annexation.
| Political Solution | Support Level | Key Conditions/Details |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Peace Package | 55% | Includes demilitarized Palestinian state, prisoner return, Hamas dismantlement, and full Arab normalization |
| Annexation of West Bank/Gaza | 35-39% | Significant increase from 24% last year |
| Single Democratic State | 6% | Equal rights for all from river to sea |
| Maintain Status Quo | 13% | Take no action on conflict at this time |
These findings suggest that while a majority of Israelis theoretically support a political solution involving Palestinian statehood, this support is highly conditional and exists alongside significant support for more hardline approaches.
International Relations: Fear of Isolation
Israelis express growing concern about their country's international standing, with particular worry about relations with Europe and the impact of the Gaza war on normalization with Arab states.
International Perception Concerns
- EU as Adversary: 67% believe the European Union has become a "foe" of Israel
- Normalization at Risk: 39% think the Gaza war endangers normalization with Arab states
- Regional Partnerships: Majority see Egypt and Jordan as most important regional partners, followed by Saudi Arabia and UAE
- Government Disapproval: 70% dissatisfied with Netanyahu government's foreign policy performance
The survey also revealed divisions over how to approach Syria, with 20% viewing the regime as an immediate threat that should be overthrown, 26% supporting continued military responses, and 44% favoring understandings with Turkey to divide spheres of influence.
Gaza's Future and Settlement Policy
Regarding the day after the war, Israelis show openness to some international solutions while maintaining hardline positions on settlements.
Multinational Force for Gaza
52% support a multinational force including moderate Arab states to govern Gaza
Cooperation with Palestinian Authority
54% support maintaining cooperation with PA on urgent West Bank matters
Settlement Sanctions
51% support sanctions against violent settlers and settlement organizations
Conditional Statehood Recognition
17% support recognizing Palestine if it ensures Israeli security and removes Hamas
These findings suggest a pragmatic streak in Israeli public opinion, with majority support for practical cooperation solutions even as the political debate remains highly polarized.
Historical Context: Shifting Israeli Public Opinion
The current divisions reflect longer-term trends in Israeli society regarding the Palestinian conflict and Israel's place in the region.
Oslo Accords generate optimism about two-state solution among majority of Israelis
Second Intifada and Gaza withdrawal shift public opinion toward security concerns
Abraham Accords and political stalemate create new regional dynamics
Post-October 7 war creates deepest societal divisions in decades
The current survey findings represent the most pronounced expressions of these underlying tensions, exacerbated by the trauma of the October 7 attacks and the subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Regional Implications: The Arab Perspective
The Israeli public's divisions have significant implications for regional dynamics and the future of Arab-Israeli relations.
Israeli attitudes toward regional partners reflect changing dynamics in the Middle East.
With 39% of Israelis believing the Gaza war threatens normalization with Arab states, and traditional partnerships with Egypt and Jordan remaining paramount, the survey suggests that regional relations may be entering a new phase of complexity regardless of how the current conflict resolves.
Conclusion: A Nation Grappling With Its Future
The Mitvim Institute survey paints a picture of an Israeli society at a crossroads, torn between fear of international isolation and unwillingness to embrace the policies that might prevent it. The deep divisions over humanitarian responsibility, political solutions, and Israel's regional role reflect fundamental questions about the country's identity and future direction.
These contradictions suggest that no clear political consensus has emerged in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the Gaza war. The Israeli public appears to want both security and international acceptance, Palestinian demilitarization and normalized relations with Arab states—objectives that may prove difficult to reconcile.
As Israel continues to grapple with these dilemmas, the survey results indicate that the country's political leadership faces a deeply divided electorate with contradictory expectations, making coherent policymaking increasingly challenging in one of the most complex geopolitical environments in the world.