Israelis war-weary but most oppose Iran ceasefire, poll suggests

Israelis war-weary but most oppose Iran ceasefire, poll suggests

Liat Zvi, standing by the shattered windows of her Tel Aviv apartment, echoes the frustration felt by many Israelis. “It feels like yet another round… two and a half years of conflict,” she remarks, her tone laced with exhaustion. Her neighborhood was recently targeted by an Iranian missile that bypassed Israel’s layered defenses, killing Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, a Filipino carer, in a residential building. This marked the first Israeli fatality in the ongoing war with Iran, which remains on a fragile pause. Now, Zvi, like many others, questions the war’s impact and struggles to envision the path forward. “It’s too much for me to look ahead—it’s really hard,” she admits.

“If we’re not going to break sponsoring Iran’s proxies around here then it’s [the ceasefire] not worth anything,” says Zvi. “You need to come as strong to the table as you can.”

New data from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem highlights Israeli public fatigue. However, it also reveals that two-thirds of respondents support the current tentative truce between Washington and Tehran. Most believe Iran and Hezbollah have not been sufficiently weakened by recent attacks. When asked to describe their emotions, a third chose “despair,” followed by “confusion” and “anger.” “Hope” ranked fourth in the list.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initial goals—removing Iran’s nuclear capability, destroying its missile infrastructure, and achieving regime change—have not been fully realized. Despite this, he claims “huge achievements” and asserts Israel is reshaping the Middle East. Critics, however, argue he has failed to meet any of his stated objectives.

Polling reveals divided opinions on continuation of strikes

The survey, conducted on 9 and 10 April with 1,312 Israelis (including 1,084 Jews and 228 Arabs), indicates a split in public opinion. While 39.5% believe attacks on Tehran must continue, 41.4% advocate respecting the ceasefire. Arab respondents were more hesitant, with less than a fifth supporting renewed strikes.

Historically, polling has shown a divide between Israel’s Jewish majority and Arab minority. At the conflict’s start, the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) found 61% of Arabs desired an immediate ceasefire. By contrast, the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) reported 93% of Jews backed the war on Iran, compared to 26% of Arabs.

Lebanon’s role in the ceasefire remains contentious

While the ceasefire includes Lebanon, the country’s involvement in the agreement has sparked debate. Israel, supported by the United States, maintains the Lebanon conflict is a separate issue. Yet, the Lebanese health ministry reported over 350 deaths—more than a third women and children—during recent strikes. Pakistan, the mediator, included Lebanon in the deal, as did Iran, which warned of resuming attacks if Israeli strikes persist.

Direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington DC are scheduled for Tuesday. Though the negotiations represent a diplomatic step, few expect dramatic results. Netanyahu only agreed after being urged by President Trump to reduce attacks on Lebanon following the Iran ceasefire’s initiation.