Israelis Seek Peace with Arab Neighbors

It seems that many Israelis are eager to explore the possibility of peace with their Arab neighbors. While a majority don’t back a two-state solution, there’s a clear interest in pursuing diplomatic deals with nations like Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. A recent study highlights that most Israelis would prefer Gaza to be under the governance of a Palestinian state or another entity rather than Israel itself.

A poll from the American Security Council showed that a significant 81% of Israelis support the Abraham Accords, which signify diplomatic agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. This support is notably high, as only 5% opposed the accords, with the remainder expressing no opinion.

Of those surveyed, about 78% would welcome a diplomatic agreement with Saudi Arabia, while 72% support a friendship with Lebanon, and 64% are in favor of an agreement with Syria.

Additionally, 71% of respondents believe improved relations with Saudi Arabia would benefit Israel’s economy.

However, ongoing relations with Palestinian neighbors remain complex and unsettled. The traumatic event of Hamas’ attack on Israel from October 7, 2023, still looms large in public sentiment. A significant 41% of Israelis think that their country should take charge of the Hamas-led Gaza Strip, opposed to just 25% who favor a United Nations coalition that includes Arab nations. This inclination is even pronounced among younger individuals, where 54% want Israel to govern Gaza, compared to only 15% supporting a UN role. This younger demographic’s perspective stands in stark contrast to older citizens, suggesting a generational divide.

A strong two-thirds of Israeli voters—about 63%—oppose the two-state solution, a figure that hasn’t shifted much over the past two years. Notably, opposition is most pronounced among the younger crowd, with 66% against it and only 17% in favor.

When it comes to broader conflicts in the region, many Israelis pinpoint Iran as a key source of trouble. In fact, 61% attribute attacks on Israel, involving groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, directly to Iran. This reflects a 13-point increase from February 2025, while 28% believe these groups act independently, albeit with Iranian backing.

Israeli voters were also asked whether they trusted the claims made by the United States and the Israel Defense Forces regarding disarming Hezbollah. About 65% thought a potential coalition could achieve this, while 25% felt it was not feasible.

Jennifer Sutton, the executive director of the Council for a Safe America, noted that these trends indicate a strong embrace of the Abraham Accords among Israelis. She remarked on the clear desire for normalization and cooperation in the region, while also emphasizing that many view Iran as a barrier to peace.

The majority of the 557 individuals surveyed participated online in Hebrew, with a small percentage also interviewed by phone or in specific communities. The poll carries a margin of error of approximately 4 percentage points.