The Israeli Society Index – July 2025 Edition, highlights a significant shift in national perception: An overwhelming majority of Israelis no longer view Iran as an existential threat.
Jerusalem, Israel — A dramatic new survey conducted by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) offers a revealing snapshot of Israeli society at a pivotal moment, just days after the conclusion of Israel’s high-stakes 12-day military campaign against Iran.
The Israeli Society Index – July 2025 Edition, published by JPPI’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Information and Consulting Center, highlights a significant shift in national perception: An overwhelming majority of Israelis no longer view Iran as an existential threat, marking a stunning 28-point drop following the strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
“This is perhaps the clearest indication that Israelis believe the Iran campaign was a strategic success,” said Professor Yedidia Stern, President of JPPI. “But this sense of relief is paired with deep divisions over how and when the war should end. Israeli society is both confident and conflicted — a democracy grappling with profoundly difficult choices.”
Key Findings:
– Iran threat perception down: Among Jewish Israelis, the belief that Iran poses an existential threat plummeted from 91% before the campaign to 63% after.
– Confidence in leadership up: Trust in the government and Prime Minister Netanyahu is at its highest level since the October 7 war began.
– A nation divided on Gaza: While most Israelis support a deal to return the hostages — even if Hamas remains in power — Jewish Israelis are split almost evenly on whether to accept such a deal or continue fighting until Hamas is ousted.
– Optimism rising: Overall optimism about Israel’s future has risen sharply since 2024, especially among center and center-right voters.
– Conscription debate heats up: There is near parity among Jewish Israelis on whether to pass the controversial Haredi draft exemption law, signaling deep ambivalence on the issue.
Public Opinion on the War: Endgame Unclear
Despite growing feelings that the war is nearing its end, Israelis are starkly divided over what that ending should look like. Only a third believe Hamas will be toppled. A majority feel that the goal of completely removing Hamas is appropriate but unlikely to be achieved. Among coalition voters, however, support for “total victory” remains strong.
Trust in Each Other — and in the IDF
The Index also includes a unique international comparison on interpersonal trust. Half of Israelis say that “most people can be trusted,” placing Israel among the top tier globally. However, there is a large trust gap between Jewish and Arab Israelis, particularly when asked about trust across ethnic lines.
Confidence in the IDF high command has also ticked upward in the wake of the Iran campaign, despite ongoing public and political criticism of its performance in Gaza.
Call to Policymakers and Civil Society
The July 2025 Index underscores the fluid, fractured, yet resilient nature of Israeli society. JPPI calls on decision-makers to confront both the internal divisions and emerging consensus points revealed in this report.
“This isn’t just a poll,” said Professor Stern. “It’s a mirror — and a compass. It reflects where Israelis stand today, and it points to where we may be headed.”