JPPI Israeli Society Index February 2025 The War in Gaza, Social Cohesion, and The Judiciary

Key Findings:

The hostage deal, signed in January 2025 under U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediation, secured the release of remaining hostages and a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. Most Israelis, including both Jews and Arabs, support completing the deal before deciding on Hamas’s future in Gaza. However, a fifth of the public, and a quarter of Jewish Israelis, favor resuming the war after Phase 1 to overthrow Hamas.

Support for continuing the deal is widespread across ideological groups, except among the right-wing, where nearly half prefer resuming the war. Politically, supporters of National Religious Party–Religious Zionism (70%) and Otzma Yehudit (60%) strongly favor ending the deal early. Among Likud voters, opinion is nearly split, while opposition party supporters overwhelmingly back completing the deal.

US President Donald Trump proposed relocating Gaza’s Arab residents, an idea supported by about 70% of Israelis. A majority of Jewish Israelis (52%) view it as a practical plan, while another 30% support it in principle but doubt its feasibility. Over 80% of Jewish Israelis back the plan in theory or practice, while most Arab Israelis oppose it, with 54% calling it “immoral."

Support is strongest among right-wing (81%) and center-right (57%) respondents, while centrist and center-left Israelis favor the idea but question its feasibility. Left-wing Israelis are the only group where opposition is more prominent. Politically, most Likud voters (71%) see the plan as practical, National Unity voters (51%) see it as desirable but impractical, and a majority of Labor voters (62%) dismiss it as either a distraction or immoral.

While the idea of Palestinian transfer was once controversial, Jewish Israeli support has grown compared to past decades. Meanwhile, confidence in Trump’s handling of US-Israel relations has declined, with only 20% expressing strong confidence, down from 32% last month. However, most Israelis still express overall confidence in him.

A shift in survey wording from a future-oriented question to a present-tense query revealed a decline in confidence. While 40% of Jewish Israelis were previously "totally confident" Israel would win, less than 10% now believe Israel is "winning or has won." Confidence in the government remains low, with 50% rating it "very low." About two-thirds of Israelis express low confidence in Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Concern about social conditions remains high, especially among secular Israelis (91%). Jewish Israelis perceive Arab Israelis as more politically extreme, while Arab Israelis view Jewish Israelis as more extreme. However, a slight trend toward moderation was noted among Arab Israelis.

IDF soldiers and Druze receive the highest positive sentiment (84%). Negative perceptions of ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) have increased, likely due to conscription debates. Among secular Israelis, "anger" toward settlers has declined, with growing "appreciation" possibly linked to their military service. Religious Jews (Dati’im) increasingly view Haredim with anger (43%).

Justice Isaac Amit's appointment was divisive. While 35% of Israelis believe it was long overdue, half see it as problematic. Right-wing respondents largely opposed it, with many favoring blocking the appointment even at the cost of a constitutional crisis. Most Arab Israelis who answered supported the appointment.