A new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) reveals a complex and evolving picture among connected U.S. Jews regarding the ongoing war with Iran, leadership on the global stage, and prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

To read the full survey, click here.

The findings, based on JPPI’s March 2026 Voice of the Jewish People Index, show continued majority support for the war, but also declining enthusiasm and rising concern about its broader consequences, particularly for Israel’s image and the safety of Jewish communities in the United States.

Support for the War Declines Slightly, but Remains Strong

A majority of connected U.S. Jews (62%) support the decision to go to war with Iran, while 31% oppose it. However, support has declined from 68% in the first week of the war, indicating a gradual erosion as the conflict continues.

At the same time, 46% say the war will only be considered a success if it leads to regime change in Iran, underscoring high expectations for its strategic outcome.

Rising Concern Over Israel’s Image and Antisemitism

The survey shows a sharp increase in concern about the war’s impact on Israel’s global standing: 56% believe the war will harm Israel’s image in the United States, up from 45% in the first week. Only 8% believe it will improve Israel’s image.

Concerns about antisemitism are also intensifying: 65% believe the war will increase antisemitism in the United States, up from 52%. Just 1% believe it will reduce antisemitism.

These findings reflect a growing sense among connected U.S. Jews that the geopolitical conflict is increasingly shaping their domestic reality.

Israeli and U.S. Leadership during Iran War

Both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu receive higher ratings for their handling of Iran than for their overall leadership.

Trump: 46% rate his leadership on Iran positively, compared to significantly lower overall approval. Netanyahu: 54% rate his leadership on Iran positively, higher than his general leadership ratings.

Notably, Netanyahu is rated more positively than Trump on Iran, reflecting relatively stronger confidence in Israel’s leadership on this issue among connected U.S. Jews.

Deep Skepticism About Israeli-Palestinian Peace

A clear majority of connected U.S. Jews express pessimism about near-term peace: 75% believe there is no chance of a peace agreement with the Palestinians in the foreseeable future.

At the same time, respondents maintain a long-term perspective: Roughly two-thirds agree that there is no substitute for a long-term peace arrangement. This reflects a dual outlook: short-term pessimism paired with long-term necessity.

Passover

Ahead of Passover, we examined the plans of Jews in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for the coming holiday. The data indicate that the seder remains a central and meaningful event among Jews in the various countries. A large majority of respondents in the United States (80%) say that they expect to host or attend a traditional seder, with high stability over time (the same share as last year). The figure is similar in Canada (79%), while in the United Kingdom it is slightly lower (73%), though it still points to a clear majority. Only a small share of respondents in all countries say they have no plans to celebrate at all.

Among Orthodox Jews and Haredim, almost all respondents plan to participate in a traditional seder (93%–94%). Conservatives and Reform Jews also show high participation rates, though somewhat lower (86% and 78%, respectively). Among Jews with no stream affiliation, by contrast, the picture is different: only 55% plan to participate in a traditional seder, one-quarter (25%) say they do not intend to participate in any special Passover event, and one-fifth (18%) have not yet decided.

Additional Insights

55% of respondents believe settlements in the West Bank are a burden on Israel’s security and the IDF.

66% say Israel is “Jewish to the right extent”, highlighting alignment with Israel’s identity among connected U.S. Jews

Methodology

This report is based on a survey of 906 Jewish respondents, primarily from the United States, conducted between March 13–17, 2026. The survey reflects the views of “connected” Jews, that is individuals with relatively strong ties to Jewish communal life, Jewish identity, and/or Israel. It should not be interpreted as representative of the broader U.S. Jewish population.

The survey was conducted by JPPI researchers Shmuel Rosner, Noah Slepkov, and Yael Levinovsky, with statistical supervision by Prof. David Steinberg.

About the Voice of the Jewish People Index

The Voice of the Jewish People Index is a monthly survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute tracking attitudes among connected Jewish populations in the United States and other countries on key issues affecting Israel and global Jewry.

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Findings from the Jewish People Policy Institute’s (JPPI) November Voice of the Jewish People Index were released today. The monthly Index assesses the mood of American Jewry in light of significant developments.

To download the PDF file, click here

Is Zionism Racism?

This month marks 50 years since the 1975 UN resolution declaring that “Zionism is racism” (Resolution 3379). The resolution generated a broad public debate and led to harsh criticism of the UN and: even impaired the organization’s image. Sixteen years later, in 1991, the UN General Assembly adopted a contrary resolution (Resolution 4686), in which it announced that it was rescinding the comparison.

Nevertheless, the claim that Zionism is a racist movement is still prevalent in global public discourse and is used as a rhetorical tool against Israel. Does this rhetoric influence the Jewish community?

Most JPPI Index participants (59%) believe that “there is nothing racist in Zionism.” A quarter of respondents (28%) think Zionism itself is not racism, but “some interpret it as such.” Eight percent responded that Zionism is not racism, but that it does contain some racist elements, and 4% of Jews said they think that “Zionism is racism.”

When survey participants were asked what they think “the average American” believes, only 8% said that the average American sees Zionism as a movement with nothing racist about it. Thirty-six percent estimate that the average American thinks Zionism may be interpreted as racist even though it is not. Fourteen percent believe the average American views Zionism as racism, and another 22% think the average American sees Zionism as a movement that contains racist elements.

Anti-Zionism is Antisemitism

The survey also examined how respondents see the relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Most respondents (72%) believe that anti-Zionism is indeed antisemitism (“definitely” or “usually”). Seventeen percent think that anti-Zionism is antisemitic only “sometimes.” Only 11% of the Jews surveyed believe that anti-Zionism and antisemitism are completely different phenomena.

The gap between ideological groups is striking: among strong liberals, only 44% view anti-Zionism as antisemitic, compared with 92% among strong conservatives. Despite the tense public discourse, the JPPI Index continues to show a high level of support for Zionism: 70% of respondents self-identify as Zionists, and another 12% support Zionism. Only 3% define themselves as anti-Zionist.

Rising Antisemitism: American Jews See Danger from Both Right and Left

Against the backdrop of a sharp increase in antisemitic phenomena in the United States – both among the progressive left and within right-wing Republican circles – JPPI Index findings indicate deep and broad concern within the Jewish community, with 99% of respondents expressing concern about antisemitism. Sixty-two percent are worried about antisemitism coming equally from both sides (left and right); 20% are worried mainly about antisemitism originating on the left; and 17% are worried about antisemitism originating in right-wing quarters.

Mamdani’s Win

According to post-election, Mamdani received the support of about one-third of the Jewish vote in his successful bid to be New York City’s next mayor. Similarly, JPPI has found that almost two-thirds of American Jews (64%) perceive Mamdani, in the wake of his election victory, as both anti-Israeli and antisemitic – the sharpest increase since July. Nineteen percent of respondents consider Mamdani anti-Israel, but not antisemitic.

Deep Concern over Security

American Jews are currently deeply enmeshed in a debate over the rise of antisemitism in the United States. In view of this debate, we asked how Mamdani’s election affects respondent sentiment. The predominant emotion reported was “concern” (56% of respondents). A significant majority of respondents (67%) believe that Mamdani’s election will likely harm the security of New York’s Jews. Only 6% think that the security of the Jewish community is likely to improve.

Ahead of Hanukkah

The following data illustrates the strength of attachment to Jewish tradition: 82% of survey respondents plan to light candles on all eight nights of the holiday, and another 11% will do so on some of the nights.

JPPI’s monthly Voice of the Jewish People Index surveys are compiled by Institute fellows Shmuel Rosner and Noah Slepkov, with assistance from Yael Levinovsky. Prof. David Steinberg serves as statistical consultant.

The post JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index for November: Mamdani Win Leaves Most U.S. Jews Concerned first appeared on The Jewish People Policy Institute.

To download the PDF file, click here.

Has the war made Israeli society more traditional? This round of JPPI’s Israeli Society Index focused on that question, and it appears the rise in traditionalism in Israel is not merely a feeling but a fact.

The findings indicate a marked increase in the observance of tradition and belief in God, chiefly among young people as well as among traditional and religious Jews, alongside a shift to the right in political orientation. By contrast, among secular Jews there was a certain decline in both religious observance and belief.

The report was prepared against the backdrop of the extensive public discourse around observance of tradition in Israel, which is evident in the public sphere: controversy over laying tefillin near schools, the popularity of traditional songs, wearing religious symbols on IDF uniforms, and more.

The survey examined the beliefs, practices, and attitudes of Jews and Arabs in Israel, with special emphasis on the views of Jewish young adults ages 18–24, to whom a significant portion of the findings refer.

Rise in Religious Observance

According to the data, the wartime period has led to changes in Israelis’ observance of tradition. For many, the change has taken the form of engaging more frequently in religious practices. A quarter (27%) of respondents report an increase in observing religious customs. This trend is even more pronounced among Jewish youth 25 and under: one-third (33%) say they observe more traditions than in the past.

In the Arab public, about a quarter of respondents (23%) report strengthened observance of traditional customs during the war. The increase in Jewish traditional observance in the war’s wake is most evident among those who already described themselves as somewhat traditional or religious. The stronger the respondent’s religious identity, the higher the share reporting that they are observing more traditional practices.

As noted, the overall trend among Jewish society is especially sharp among youth up to age 25: Among young people who define themselves as “traditional, but not so religious,” there has been a very significant rise in observance—37% report an increase in religious practices. Among youth who are “traditional, somewhat religious,” the rise is even greater—51% report observing more religious customs due to the war. Practicing More Religious Customs 31% of Jews report that they are praying more since the war began. 20% report they are reading the Bible or Psalms (Tehillim) more often.

About one-tenth of Jews report increased practices such as going to synagogue (11%), lighting Shabbat candles (11%), laying tefillin (9%), and dressing more modestly (9%). Among Jewish youth, the “strengthening” is even more pronounced:

38% say they are praying more since the war, and 26% read the Bible more. 14% of Jewish youth report attending synagogue more, lighting Shabbat candles more often, and dressing more modestly.

Among “traditional, not so religious” Jews, nearly half (43%) report change —principally an increase in prayer (42%), reading the Bible or Psalms (23%), and lighting Shabbat candles (20%). Among the “traditional, somewhat religious” and among the religious, the share reporting increased observance is even higher: more than half pray more, and about 42% read the Bible or Psalms more. A similar pattern is evident in Arab society: increases in prayer (32%), modest dress (12%), and attending church/mosque (10%).

Greater Faith in God Than Before the War

A quarter of Jews (28%) and nearly forty percent of Arabs (37%) feel their faith in God has strengthened, while far smaller shares report a decline (Jews 9%; Arabs 4%). Among Jewish youth, the war’s impact on belief is greater than among Jewish adults overall: 35% say they believe in God more than they did before. Respondents were also asked about their perceptions of the level of faith among Israelis in social/familial circle. The general impression within Israeli society — perhaps also influenced by the public discourse — is that religious faith is “strengthening”:

49% of Jewish Israelis believe their friends and relatives have increased their faith to some degree 35% think the level of faith has remained the same Only 9% perceive a weakening

Among Jewish youth, the perception of change is stronger still: 58% say their peers have strengthened in faith, while a relatively low 25% think the situation has remained unchanged. Among Arabs, 52% believe those around them have strengthened in faith.

Political Identification — A Shift to the Right

In addition to questions about changes in religiosity, respondents were also asked about changes in their political self-identification. The data show that since the war began, Jews display a clear shift to the right.

Among Jewish Israelis, the share identifying as “hard right” rose from 11% to 19%, and the share identifying as “right” rose from 24% to 28%. The increase stems from a shift rightward among those who had before the war, identified as “moderate right” or “center.” This rightward shift is evident among Jewish youth across almost every political identification cohort:

Nearly half (45%) of those who say that before the war they would have described themselves as “moderate right,” and a majority (59%) of those who were “right leaning toward the center,” report having moved further right on the political spectrum. Even among those who identified as “center” or “moderate left,” a substantial share reports a shift right — 43% of centrists and 49% of those “left leaning toward the center.”

Even among those who identified as left or hard left, about half (50%) report a rightward shift. In the Arab sector there is stability, with virtually no change — center, left, and right have remained at approximately their previous shares.

Statement from the CEO of the Jewish People Policy Institute, Dr. Shuki Friedman:

“The data reflects what we sensed on the ground: many in Israel — especially among the young — feel that the war has connected them more deeply to tradition and to Jewish identity. Not necessarily in a halachic way, but in ways that are more salient in their lives and across the public sphere. When Sasson Shaulov’s hit song Tamid Ohev Oti ([God] Always Loves Me) — a religious song by a rabbi — gets tens of millions of plays on YouTube, it captures the spirit of the moment. Alongside this, Israelis, especially young people, have shifted to the right. Israel after the war is more traditional and more right-leaning. At this stage, it is impossible to know whether this is a passing trend, or a deeper and longer-term change.”

*

The survey data was analyzed and weighted by voting pattern and religiosity to represent the views of Israel’s adult population. The JPPI Israeli Society Index is compiled by Shmuel Rosner and Noah Slepkov. Prof. David Steinberg serves as statistical consultant.

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To download the PDF file, click here.

Additional findings:

• A large majority of Israelis (90%) back the 20-point Trump Plan, but only a minority believe Hamas will relinquish rule of Gaza
• 59% oppose stripping voting rights from those who do not enlist in the IDF

The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) releases the findings of its November Israeli Society Index, which examined public attitudes after the war regarding the ceasefire agreement, the performance of leadership, the sense of victory, and contemporary civic issues, including ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) conscription, Israel-U.S. relations, and political polarization in Israel.

According to the findings, most of the public (90%) believes Israel did the right thing by accepting President Trump’s plan to end the war, but only a minority believes that the war’s objective — ending Hamas rule in Gaza — will be fully achieved.

Sixty percent of Jewish respondents estimate that Hamas will retain a significant governing role, and a very large majority (88%) demands a Commission of Inquiry to examine the failures that led to the war.

“War of Revival” or the “October 7 War”?

There is no consensus among Israelis on the appropriate name for the war. Of the four names presented in the survey, two in five Israelis (42%) prefer “October 7 War.” One-sixth (16%) chose the government’s name, “War of Revival,” and one-eighth (13%) prefer “Swords of Iron,” the original name given by the IDF. One-eighth (12%) support “Simchat Torah War,” 7% think none of the options fit, and 10% did not know how to answer.

By ideological orientation: There is near-total agreement on the left and center-left (85% and 80%, respectively) on “October 7 War.” In contrast, a third (32%) of those who identify with the right prefer “War of Revival,” and roughly a quarter (23%) think the war should be called “Simchat Torah War.”

Among Likud voters (2022 elections), 37% think the war should be called “War of Revival,” 24% prefer “October 7 War,” 11% chose “Simchat Torah War,” and 10% prefer the original IDF name “Swords of Iron.” A high share of the religious public (45%) chose “Simchat Torah War.”

The Trump Plan

As noted, a very large majority of Israelis (90%) believe Israel acted appropriately in accepting President Trump’s plan to end the war. Fifty-five percent say Israel did so because “it had no choice,” and 35% say it is a good plan. The plan calls for the end of Hamas rule in Gaza. Even so, most of the public does not anticipate that this objective will be fully realized.

A quarter of Israelis (25%) believe Hamas will continue to rule Gaza, and another third (31%) think Hamas will have “a significant role” in governing Gaza. A fifth (20%) estimate it will have a limited role in governing the Strip. By contrast, only 16% of Israelis believe Hamas will have no role at all in governing Gaza. Jewish Israelis are particularly pessimistic, with 60% estimating that Hamas will continue to have a significant role in governing Gaza.

A third (32%) of Israelis think the calm will last only a few more weeks; a fifth (20%) estimate it will last a few more months; a fifth (19%) think there will be calm for one to two years; and another fifth (18%) estimate a prolonged quiet of several years.

Commission of Inquiry

With the end of the war, a very large majority (88%) of Israelis believe that a Commission of Inquiry is required to clarify the circumstances that led to its outbreak. However, there is no agreement on the structure and framework of such a commission: 46% support a State Commission of Inquiry headed by a Supreme Court justice, while 42% prefer a National Commission of Inquiry with an agreed-upon composition that doesn’t include representation from the Supreme Court.

Four percent of the public believes there is no need to establish a special inquiry beyond the professional review committees of the security agencies.

Among Jews on the left and center-left, 90% support a State Commission of Inquiry headed by a Supreme Court justice. By contrast, on the right and center-right there is a clear preference for a National Commission of Inquiry without Supreme Court representation (79% and 56% respectively).

The split also appears along party lines: among coalition party voters, a majority favors a National Commission of Inquiry; among opposition party voters, a majority supports empaneling a State Commission of Inquiry.

Early Elections

Forty-four percent of Israelis want elections as soon as possible — within three months — and another 10% say elections should be held in the next six months. By contrast, 40% support holding as currently scheduled in fall 2026.

Is Israel a U.S. Protectorate?

Almost half of Israelis (45%) believe Israel aligns with American positions to the proper extent, a third (31%) think Israel does so a bit too much, and 15% feel Israel does so far too much.

A majority (65%) of those on the left believe Israel is aligning with American positions to the proper extent; criticism of the degree of American involvement is higher on the right: over half of right-leaning respondents (54%) think Israel aligns its policy with American positions too much (a little + a lot). In the center-right and the center, the public is split between those who think Israeli alignment is proper and those who fear an overly strong American influence.

Haredi Conscription and Voting Rights

According to the November JPPI Israeli Society Index, a majority of Israelis (59%) oppose the idea of revoking voting rights from those who do not enlist IDF, compared with a third (30%) who support it. The opposing majority is found among both Jewish (60%) and Arab (53%) Israelis.

A majority of the Israeli public opposes the bill proposed recently by MK Boaz Bismuth to regulate the exemption/conscription of Haredim into the IDF. Half of Israelis (48%) oppose the bill because they don’t believe it will lead to significant Haredi enlistment. Another 6% oppose it because they feel it places unfair pressure on the Haredi public. About a quarter of the public (26%) supports the bill — most viewing it is a reasonable compromise that will bring some Haredim into IDF service; a small minority supports it because they see it as a way to maintain coalition stability.

Methodology

The November survey data of the Jewish People Policy Institute were analyzed and weighted by voting pattern and religiosity to represent the views of Israel’s adult population. The Israeli Society Index is compiled by Shmuel Rosner and Noah Slepkov for JPPI. Prof. David Steinberg serves as statistical consultant.

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The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) on Tuesday released the Voice of the Jewish People Index for August, revealing deep concern among American Jews about the impact of Israel’s actions in Gaza on Jewish communities worldwide.

The index found that 75% of American Jews are worried that Israel may become a pariah state in Western countries — a higher level of concern than among Israeli Jews (62%).

A recent letter by Jewish leaders to Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Israel’s policies in Gaza not only affect Israel’s standing, but also reverberate throughout Diaspora communities.

In addition, 92% of respondents in the JPPI survey agreed that Israel’s actions have direct implications for Jews abroad. However, opinion is split: 47% say Israel must consider the impact of its actions in Gaza on Diaspora Jews, while 45% say Israel should focus solely on military victory, regardless of Diaspora concerns.

Nearly half of US Jews conceal their Jewish identity at times when in unfamiliar environments (42% sometimes, 9% always). In contrast, most haredi Jews said they never hide their identity (53% never, 18% rarely travel).

Looking ahead to the High Holidays, 53% plan to attend services more than once, while 18% will attend at least once.

When asked about the war against Hamas in Gaza, 47% say Israel had no choice but to launch a military operation to take Gaza and cannot allow Hamas to remain in power. At the same time, 34% believe Israel is making a mistake, arguing there are better ways to achieve its goals. Just 10% say Israel should stop the war, even if Hamas remains in power.

Voting preferences, however, reveal sharp divisions: 85% of Jewish Trump voters back Israel’s decision, but only 26% of Jewish Harris voters agree. Half of Harris voters (49%) believe Israel is making a mistake.

Just under a third (32%) of US Jews feel Israel is “winning or has won” the war, compared to 48% of Israeli Jews. Conversely, 37% of US Jews and 30% of Israeli Jews do not feel Israel is winning.

JPPI President Prof. Yedidia Stern commented: “The survey shows that the way the war is being conducted directly and significantly impacts Diaspora Jews’ sense of security in their own homes. Nearly half of them expect the State of Israel to take this into account, but in practice, this voice is not represented in Israel’s decision-making processes.”

“The Nation-State Law stipulates that ‘the state shall strive to ensure the safety of members of the Jewish people … who are in distress or captivity because of their Judaism.’ This commitment must be given practical meaning by institutionalizing an internal Israeli mechanism to highlight the safety concerns of Diaspora Jews wherever critical decisions are made that could affect their fate.”

Published on Arutz Sheva

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According to JPPI’s “Voice of the Jewish People” Index, 45% of American Jews say Israel is too aggressive in Gaza. Among those identifying as “very liberal,” 44% agree with accusations that Israel is committing genocide — an assertion widely rejected in Israel. In contrast, 70% of Jewish Trump voters say Israel is not aggressive enough.

While 54% of Israeli Jews believe Israel is winning the Gaza war, only a third of US Jews agree, the report says. Similarly, Israelis overwhelmingly rate the Iran operation as a success, while just 7% of American Jews gave it the highest possible rating.

Trust in US President Donald Trump on Israel-related matters has increased among American Jews, with 57% now expressing at least some trust, including 35% of those who voted for former vice president Kamala Harris in November, the survey found.

In New York, nearly 70% of American Jews oppose the candidacy of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and 61% view him as both anti-Israel and antisemitic, the survey finds.

“The survey shows that even among American Jews – who are generally predisposed to support Israel – the country is failing to explain and justify its positions effectively,” says JPPI director general Dr. Shuki Friedman.

TOI

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The data, part of JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People July 2025 survey, reflects widespread anxiety among New York’s Jewish community about the implications of Mamdani’s rise. The survey was conducted from July 14–17 and included over 700 U.S. Jewish participants, with a representative subset from New York.

Key findings include:

• A clear majority of Jewish New Yorkers say Mamdani is “a bad candidate” and express strong concern about his past rhetoric.

• Most Jewish respondents nationwide (62%) believe Mamdani’s views are both anti-Israel and antisemitic.

• Among Jewish New Yorkers, one-third say he is anti-Israel but not antisemitic, indicating a nuanced internal debate.

• Only a small minority – about a quarter of Harris voters – say Mamdani is a good candidate and they would welcome his election.

Mamdani has previously used phrases like “globalize the intifada,” which many Jewish leaders interpret as promoting violence against Israel and its supporters. While he has since pledged to refrain from using that language, concerns persist.

“What we’re seeing here is not just political disagreement,” said Prof. Yedidia Stern, President of JPPI. “This is about trust, identity, and fear. When mainstream Jewish communities in the largest Jewish city in the world express this level of discomfort, it reflects a serious rupture.”

Even among liberal-leaning Jews, the reaction is striking. While stronger support for Mamdani exists among “strong liberals,” even in the “leaning liberal” cohort, a majority say they do not want him to become mayor.

The Voice of the Jewish People survey tracks evolving attitudes within global Jewry on key political, social, and identity issues. This edition also includes data on U.S. Jews’ perceptions of the wars in Gaza and Iran, views on U.S.-Israel relations, and trust in Jewish vs. general populations.

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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.”

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Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 9 of last year, the government of Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, has been consolidating its rule. The new regime has gained international recognition, culminating in a meeting between al-Shara and U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh.

To assess the new regime’s orientation toward Israel, researchers at JPPI’s Glazer Center conducted an in-depth analysis of hundreds of opinion columns and commentary pieces in Syria’s key state-run newspapers – Al-Hurriya (formerly *Tishreen*) and Al-Thawra – both of which were formerly affiliated with the Assad regime and now serve as official platforms of the new government.

The researchers used advanced AI-based tools to evaluate the tone and sentiment toward Israel in these publications. In addition, they measured the overall volume of Israel-related coverage before and after the regime change, using publications by the official Syrian state news agency, SANA, which continues to operate under the new government.

The comparison focused on the periods between January and May of this year (under al-Shara) and the same months last year (under al-Assad).

Key finding: Under al-Shara, Israel-related coverage dropped significantly.

Whereas under al-Assad, Israel was featured in up to 43% of SANA reports, this figure fell to just 7% under al-Shara.

The researchers also analyzed the tone of coverage by comparing opinion pieces across the two periods. Using AI classification, they examined articles in *Al-Thawra*. In Assad’s last year in power, nearly 25% of opinion articles (147 out of 595) dealt with Israel, with over 95% rated as “highly negative,” another 4% as “negative,” and only 0.7% as “somewhat negative.”

By contrast, under al-Shara, only 5% of opinion columns dealt with Israel. For comparison, a recent JPPI analysis of Egyptian media found that 30% of opinion articles focused on Israe –six times more than in Syria under al-Shara.

Beyond the change in volume, there appears to have been a modest shift in tone. In the Julani-era *Al-Thawra*, 65% of articles were classified as “highly negative,” 12% as “negative,” and 6% as “somewhat negative,” while 18% were labeled “neutral” – a non-existent characterization in the previous year under al-Assad.

Researchers also assessed sentiment in *Al-Hurriya* (formerly *Tishreen*), another key government outlet. Like *Al-Thawra*, the tone toward Israel was overwhelmingly negative: 78% of articles were “highly negative,” 11% “negative,” and 11% “somewhat negative.” These articles were all written and published after the regime change.

Despite the significant drop in the volume of coverage, the tone remains deeply hostile. In “highly negative” articles, Israel is portrayed as a colonial and aggressive entity aiming to take over Syria, sow chaos, and expand at the expense of regional nations.

The research was conducted by JPPI’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Information and Consulting Center researchers Shlomi Bereznik and Eli Kannai.

Yaakov Katz, Director of JPPI’s Glazer Information Center, commented:

“The new Syrian government is shifting closer to the West, as reflected in Al-Shara’s recent meeting with President Trump and the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria. Al-Shara has hinted at openness to relations with Israel, and his steps to tone down media hostility toward Israel reinforce that message with real policy. The sharp decline in media focus on Israel – and to some extent, even in hostility – marks a noticeable departure from former President Assad’s approach.”

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