Israelis war-weary but most oppose Iran ceasefire, poll suggests
Israelis War-Wearied, Yet Most Resist Iran Ceasefire, Poll Indicates
Liat Zvi, standing near the shattered windows and cracked walls of her Tel Aviv apartment, echoes the frustration shared by many Israelis. “It’s disheartening… we’ve endured a war lasting over two years, and this feels like yet another cycle,” she admits. Six weeks prior, her neighborhood was targeted in an Iranian missile strike that bypassed Israel’s layered air defenses, resulting in the death of Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, a 32-year-old Filipino caregiver. This was the first Iranian-related fatality in Israel, marking the conflict’s current fragile pause. Zvi now questions the conflict’s outcomes and struggles to envision what lies ahead. “Looking forward feels overwhelming—it’s really hard.”
Survey Reveals Public Fatigue and Divided Views
A recent poll by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem highlights Israeli war weariness. However, it also reveals that two-thirds of respondents reject the current tentative truce between Washington and Tehran. Most surveyed believe neither Iran nor Hezbollah in Lebanon has been significantly weakened by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. Emotions range from “despair,” chosen by a third of respondents, to “confusion” and “anger.” “Hope” ranks fourth. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially listed removing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, dismantling its missile program, and achieving regime change as key objectives. Yet, his critics argue he has not fulfilled these aims. Despite doubts about the military campaign’s success, opinions remain split on whether Israel should persist in attacking Iran. 39.5% favor continuing strikes, while 41.4% support honoring the ceasefire.
The poll surveyed 1,312 Israelis, including 1,084 Jews and 228 Arabs, on April 9 and 10, representing the broader population. On the ceasefire question, fewer than 20% of Arab respondents supported resuming attacks. This divide mirrors earlier surveys showing a rift between Israel’s Jewish majority and Arab minority. At the conflict’s onset, the Institute of National Security Studies found 61% of Arabs wanted an immediate ceasefire. In contrast, the Jewish People Policy Institute noted 93% of Jews backed the war, compared to 26% of Arabs.
“If we’re not addressing Iran’s proxy groups here, then the ceasefire is meaningless,” Zvi asserts. “You need to arrive at the negotiation table with strength.”
Zvi’s sentiment contrasts with the hand-written sign on the plastic sheet across her damaged balcony: “Give Peace a Chance.” However, she remains skeptical about peace with Hezbollah. “Unless Hezbollah surrenders its weapons, the Lebanon conflict should not end,” she states. The Hebrew University poll suggests most Israelis agree, with a preference to keep Hezbollah’s threat intact. Israel, supported by the U.S., has framed its battle with Hezbollah as separate from the Iran conflict. Yet, Pakistan and Iran included Lebanon in the ceasefire, with Tehran threatening renewed strikes if attacks continue.
Washington DC will host direct ambassadorial talks between Lebanon and Israel on Tuesday. Though the negotiations represent progress without formal diplomatic ties, few anticipate immediate breakthroughs. Netanyahu only consented to the discussions after being advised by President Trump to scale back strikes on Lebanon following the ceasefire’s initiation. The Lebanese health ministry reported over 350 deaths in the recent air strikes, including a third who were women and children.
