Adobe Stock
Israelis are increasingly skeptical about the possibilities of establishing and maintaining peace with Palestinians, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted earlier this year.
Pew found that of the 988 Israeli adults surveyed, only 21% say that Israel and a Palestinian state can coexist in peace, which is the lowest recorded percentage since Pew first asked the question in 2013. In 2023, before the war started, 35% thought the two could coexist peacefully, and in 2024, 26% said the same thing.
According to Pew, Jewish Israelis are the most skeptical of peaceful coexistence, with only 16% expressing optimism. Arab Israelis had more positive views, with 40% saying the two could coexist.
Pew also discovered that Israelis are generally unsure if arriving at peace is possible. Just over half (56%) said Israelis are committed to working toward lasting peace between the two groups, but only 41% said the same of their views of Palestinians’ commitment to peace. The respondents also considered a lack of trust between Israelis and Palestinians to be a major obstacle to peace (75%), as well as the fact that both groups claim Jerusalem as their capital (70%).
Other obstacles to peace included Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law, conflict between political parties in Israel, and conflict between Hamas and Fatah among Palestinians.
Israelis additionally are skeptical of other countries, including the United Nations but with the exception of the US, boosting the possibility of peace. Only 17% view the UN as helpful, but 81% view the US as aiding in working toward peace.
Pew also found that Israelis are generally disapproving of their political leaders’ efforts to establish peace, beginning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who received a 58% unfavorability rating in 2024. Israelis viewed Palestinian leaders in a worse light, but about half also said that they saw at least some amount of commitments to peace in both Israel and the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority.
