Israeli Public Divided on Ceasefire Amidst War Fatigue

Fri Apr 17 2026 19:34:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new poll reveals that while Israelis are tired of ongoing conflict with Iran, they are predominantly against a ceasefire, reflecting deep-seated concerns about national security.

As the war with Iran continues its precarious pause, a recent poll from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem indicates significant war-weariness among Israelis; however, a majority still oppose a ceasefire with Iran. Many citizens express skepticism about the effectiveness of military strikes, while public opinion is deeply split along ethnic lines regarding the future of peace talks. The conflict's toll has led to growing confusion, anger, and despair among the populace, as they grapple with the implications of the war and its uncertain trajectory.

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 the 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 finding it hard to contemplate what happens next.

New polling by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem points to a war-weariness among Israelis. But it also suggests two thirds oppose the current tentative truce between Washington and Tehran.

The vast majority surveyed said they believed neither Iran nor Hezbollah in Lebanon had been severely weakened by the recent US and Israeli bombardment.

Polling indicates that despair is a dominant sentiment among Israelis, while skepticism looms large regarding the success of military objectives outlined by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

This complexity is compounded by a rapid transformation in public opinion as new surveys reveal a stark divide between the Jewish majority and Arab minority in Israel regarding war sentiments and the need for a ceasefire.

As discussions about potential negotiations take shape, the future remains uncertain, with public sentiment heavily influenced by the ongoing violence and its repercussions.