Israeli Public Divided on Iran Conflict Ceasefire Amid War Fatigue

Mon Apr 13 2026 22:00:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Despite deepening war fatigue among Israelis, a new poll reveals that most oppose a ceasefire with Iran, indicating a divided sentiment on the country's military strategy. While public opinion shows support for continued strikes against Tehran, a significant portion favors peace negotiations.

Polling from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem indicates that while many Israelis express exhaustion from ongoing conflicts, a majority oppose a ceasefire with Iran. The conflict's ongoing toll has led to sentiments of despair and confusion among the populace, highlighting a complicated dynamic between war-weariness and national security concerns. Reports also suggest a split in perspectives between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority in Israel, with significant differences in views on military actions.

Standing next to the blown-out windows and cracked walls of her apartment in Tel Aviv, Liat Zvi voices an exasperation many Israelis say they feel. It's depressing… we've been in war for two and a half years and this just feels like another round, she sighs.

Six weeks ago, her central neighbourhood was among many locations where Tehran delivered its response to US-Israeli attacks. An Iranian missile evaded Israel's multi-tiered air defence and smashed into a residential building, killing 32-year-old carer Mary Anne Velasquez de Vera from the Philippines. This was the first fatality in Israel during the war with Iran – a conflict that's currently on a precarious pause.

Now, like many of her fellow Israelis, Zvi is asking herself what this conflict actually achieved for her country and is struggling to contemplate what happens next. It's too much for me to look ahead - it's really hard.
New polling by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem points to a war-weariness among Israelis, but it also reveals that two thirds oppose the current tentative truce between Washington and Tehran. The vast majority surveyed believe neither Iran nor Hezbollah in Lebanon has been severely weakened by the recent US and Israeli bombardment.

Despair was the word a third of respondents chose when asked to describe their current emotion, followed by confusion and anger, while hope ranked fourth. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited aims at the start of the campaign, including removing Iran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon and securing regime change, yet his opponents argue he has failed to achieve these goals.

Despite skepticism about the success of military actions, polling suggests public division on whether Israel should continue its strikes against Iran. Some 39.5% said attacks must continue, while 41.4% favored respecting the ceasefire. Significantly, the poll's Arab respondents largely preferred a ceasefire.

As the Israeli public prepares for upcoming elections, opinions vary sharply based on ethnic divides, with substantial differences in support for military actions between Jewish and Arab citizens. The complex interplay of emotions and the quest for peace amid ongoing conflict highlights the challenges that lie ahead.