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

In Tel Aviv, Liat Zvi stands beside the shattered remains of her home, her frustration echoing that of many Israelis. “It’s exhausting… we’ve endured two and a half years of conflict, and this just feels like another cycle,” she laments. Six weeks prior, her neighborhood was targeted by Iranian missiles, which bypassed Israel’s layered defenses and struck a residential area, claiming the life of Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera, a Filipino caregiver. This marked the first Israeli fatality in the Iran war, now paused on uncertain footing. Zvi, like others, questions the conflict’s value and struggles to envision the path forward. “I can’t see past this—it’s overwhelming.”

Poll reveals deepening fatigue and divided views

A recent survey by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem highlights a growing sense of weariness among Israelis. Yet, it also indicates that two-thirds of respondents reject the current fragile truce between Washington and Tehran. The majority believe neither Iran nor Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by recent attacks. When asked to name their current sentiment, a third of participants opted for “despair,” followed by “confusion” and “anger.” “Hope” ranked fourth. The poll, conducted with 1,312 Israelis (1,084 Jews, 228 Arabs) on April 9 and 10, found sharp divisions on whether to maintain pressure on Iran.

“If we’re not eliminating Iran’s proxies here, then this ceasefire is meaningless,” Zvi says, contrasting her determination with the message on her balcony—“Give Peace a Chance”—taped over the blast-damaged doorframe.

Netanyahu’s initial war objectives—neutralizing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, dismantling its missile arsenal, and pushing for regime change—remain unmet, according to critics. Despite this, the prime minister claims “huge achievements” and insists Israel is reshaping the Middle East. However, public sentiment is split: 39.5% support continuing strikes on Tehran, while 41.4% advocate respecting the ceasefire. The Arab community, in particular, shows less enthusiasm, with fewer than a fifth endorsing renewed attacks.

The conflict has underscored a longstanding divide between Israel’s Jewish majority and Arab minority. Early in the war, the Institute of National Security Studies noted that 61% of Arabs wanted an immediate ceasefire. More recently, the Jewish People Policy Institute reported 93% of Jews backing the campaign against Iran, compared to 26% of Arabs. This disparity reflects broader tensions over the war’s impact and purpose.

While the ceasefire holds, the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to dominate public concern. Zvi argues that peace should not come until the armed group surrenders its weapons. “Most Israelis want the Lebanon conflict to last until Hezbollah gives up its arms,” she states. The Hebrew University poll corroborates this, with the majority opposing including Lebanon in the ceasefire. Israel, backed by the U.S., insists the Hezbollah confrontation is distinct, a separate struggle to eliminate the northern threat. Pakistan, the broker of the deal, included Lebanon in the agreement, as did Iran, which warned of resuming attacks if strikes continue there.

As negotiations between Lebanon and Israel progress in Washington, D.C., hopes for a breakthrough remain low. The talks, between nations without formal diplomatic ties, mark a symbolic step but are seen as insufficient to resolve deeper issues. Netanyahu’s agreement to the discussions followed pressure from President Trump to scale back attacks on Lebanon after the ceasefire began. Meanwhile, the Lebanese health ministry reports over 350 casualties—many women and children—in the air strikes that preceded the truce.