A new Israeli survey reveals shifting public mood on the Iran war, with declining support, lower expectations of military impact, and rising concern over prolonged conflict.
Three Indians injured in Fujairah in Iranian missile attack; UAE condemns ‘unprovoked aggression’(File photo: Xinhua/IANS)
Public backing in Israel for continuing the war against Iran is weakening, with fewer people now believing the campaign will deliver major damage, according to a new survey.
The study, released by the Institute for National Security Studies on Thursday, shows a steady drop in support for prolonging the conflict until regime change in Iran. It also points to growing caution among Israelis about how much the war can actually achieve.
Advertisement
The institute, linked to Tel Aviv University, tracks national security trends, including military strategy, terrorism, and regional balance of power.
Advertisement
In the early phase of the conflict, nearly seven in ten respondents believed Iran’s leadership would be seriously weakened. That figure has now fallen to 43.5 per cent.
The survey notes a clear shift in public mood. People are less certain about the extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear programme, missile stockpiles, and political leadership. At the same time, more respondents feel Israeli civilians could sustain a conflict that lasts beyond a month.
“The trend toward more moderate public attitudes regarding the outcomes of the campaign in Iran and the preferred objective for ending it is continuing. The public is now more cautious in its assessment of the expected damage to Iran’s nuclear project, the missile arsenal, and the Ayatollah regime. At the same time, as the campaign continues, more respondents believe that the home front can endure beyond one month of war,” the survey says.
Perceptions around Iran’s nuclear programme have also softened. Initial optimism that it would be heavily hit has dropped from 62.5 per cent to 48 per cent. A similar trend is seen in views on Iran’s missile capabilities, where expectations of major damage have declined from 73 per cent to 58.5 per cent.
Backing for continuing the war until Iran’s regime is removed has also reduced sharply. It now stands at 45.5 per cent, down from 63 per cent in the opening days of the conflict and 54 per cent after two weeks.
On the northern front, opinion remains split over whether Hezbollah can be effectively disarmed.
Even as opinions shift, people still largely trust the Israel Defense Forces, with 77 per cent expressing confidence in the army. But that trust does not extend to the government, where only 30 per cent say they have faith.
The survey also highlights concerns within Israeli society about military strain. Around 63 per cent of Jewish respondents agreed with the army chief’s warning that the growing number of missions, combined with recruitment challenges, could weaken the force internally.
While trust in the wider security system remains relatively high, there are signs of decline. Confidence in the army leadership and its spokesperson has dipped slightly. Political leadership, meanwhile, continues to face low trust levels with noticeable divisions across different groups.
Advertisement
