Israelis split on pursuing diplomatic end to fighting with Hezbollah, survey finds

A poll released Sunday by the Israel Democracy Institute showed that Jewish Israelis remain divided over whether Israel should pursue a diplomatic end to the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as what approach Jerusalem should take in negotiations to free the hostages held in Gaza.

According to the survey, 46.6 percent of all those polled believe Israel should pursue a diplomatic deal to end the war in the north, while 45.8% think the fight against Hezbollah should continue; among just Jewish Israelis, 54% believe the operation should keep going and 38% back reaching an agreement. Among Arab Israelis, 88% said they back a diplomatic deal ending the war.

The poll was conducted October 28-November 3 and surveyed 750 people via phone and internet with a margin of error of ±3.58%, according to the IDI’s Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research.

When it comes to the yearlong war in Gaza, 56% of those polled said that Israel should adopt a more flexible stance in order to reach a deal with Hamas to release the 101 hostages still being held there, compared to 36% who said it should not. Among just Jewish Israelis, 53.5% said Israel should be more flexible, while 67% of Arab Israelis held the same position.

Asked if the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza last month brought Israel any closer to toppling the terror group, 55% overall said yes, with more Jewish Israelis — 62.5% — agreeing than Arab Israelis — just 21%.

Questioned on the Israeli strikes on Iran last month in retaliation for Tehran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, 41% overall said the response was appropriately strong, while 43.5% said it was too weak. Among Jewish Israelis, the response was exactly divided, with 43% saying it was ideal and 43% saying it was too weak. Among Arab Israelis who were polled, 31% said it was appropriate, 8% said it was too strong and 46% said it was too weak.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets prepare to head out for strikes in Iran, early October 26, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

Respondents, when asked to select which US presidential candidate would best serve Israeli interests, chose President-elect Donald Trump, with 64% overall picking him over Vice President Kamala Harris, who was selected by just 13% of those surveyed. Among Jewish Israelis, 72% said Trump would be better for Israel, 11% said Harris and 9% said there would be no difference between them.

Survey participants were also given the names of 10 countries and asked if they had a friendly or hostile approach to the Jewish state. Among the 10 countries — Britain, Russia, China, Germany, the US, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and France — only the US and Germany were said to be friendly by a majority of respondents.

Among those polled, 79% said the US was friendly to Israel and 72% said Germany was friendly. According to IDI, compared to a survey asking same question in 2019, only Germany received a higher rating of those viewing it as friendly, while every other nation, including the US, has dropped over the same period.