The survey, conducted by researchers from Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University noted deep differences in emotional response, strategic preferences, and trust in national institutions. It found that while 83% of Jewish Israelis support the strikes, 73% of Israeli-Arabs are opposed.

“This survey shows the extent to which the war is experienced very differently by different communities in Israel,” said Hebrew University’s Dr. Gayil Talshir, one of the lead researchers. “While many Jewish Israelis view it as a unifying national struggle, Arab Israelis tend to see it as a divisive and dangerous escalation.”

The survey, conducted June 15–16 among 1,057 Israelis, found that 46% of Jewish Israelis support military action even without American cooperation, while 34% favor strikes only with U.S. backing. Just 16% prefer diplomacy. In contrast, only 11% of Arab Israelis support unilateral military action, and 73% favor diplomacy over force.

Emotional responses to the conflict further illustrated the divide. Among Jewish Israelis, hope (23.5%) and pride (28%) outweigh despair (13.5%) and fear (35%). Among Arab Israelis, fear is the dominant emotion (69%), followed by despair (25%). Only 3.5% expressed hope, and just 2% felt pride.

“This sense of fear and alienation among Arab citizens cannot be ignored,” said postdoctoral researcher Dr. Nimrod Nir, of Hebrew University, who co-authored the study. “It speaks to wider issues of trust, inclusion, and representation within Israeli society.”

On the question of national unity, 57% of Jewish respondents said the campaign against Iran would make Israeli society more united. Only 7% felt it would be more divided. Among Arab Israelis, the pattern was nearly reversed: 56% said the war was dividing society, and only 23% saw it as a unifying force.

Public trust in Israel’s security institutions remains high, particularly in the Air Force and the Mossad intelligence agency. These bodies ranked highest in confidence ratings among respondents, while the government and Security Cabinet scored significantly lower. Individuals such as the Mossad director, military Chief of Staff and Air Force commander also rated highly for trustworthiness.

When asked about strategic goals, 56% of Jewish Israelis supported fully dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, while 44% preferred a diplomatic resolution. However, just 24% believed Israel could eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat without U.S. help. Opinions were more divided when it came to U.S. influence: 35% said Israel should ignore an American request to halt the operation, 32% said it should comply, and 33% were unsure.

Among Arab Israelis, 86% favored diplomacy over full-scale military action, and 78% said Israel should comply with any American request to stop the campaign. Only 14% supported full military dismantling of Iran’s capabilities.

The ongoing conflict has also affected attitudes toward the war in Gaza. Support for a hostage deal that would end the campaign rose from 68% to 76% since the Iran operation began. Among Jewish Israelis, 71% now favor such a deal. Among Arab Israelis, support is nearly unanimous at 99%.

“We are seeing a rallying effect among Jewish Israelis, not only around the Iran strike but also around the idea of bringing the hostages home,” said Talshir. “But the consensus breaks down sharply along communal lines.”

Finally, perceptions of preparedness also differ dramatically. About 68% of Jewish Israelis believe the home front is moderately or highly prepared for prolonged conflict. Among Arab Israelis, only 25% share that view, with 75% expressing concern that the country is not well-prepared.

The survey was conducted using a demographically representative sample and drew on the Agam Institute’s panel for cross-analysis with prior data. The margin of error was 4.2%.

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on Friday, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defense officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.

Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. The strikes mark a dramatic escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy combining nuclear development, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare aimed at Israel’s destruction.

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