A survey conducted by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) found that 72% of Israeli Jews would not agree to an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip to the border without retaining a security perimeter inside the enclave. The September 2026 Israeli Society Index, released last week, highlights the complexities of Israeli public opinion on Gaza. The survey gathered data from 663 Jewish-sector respondents and 206 Arab-sector respondents between 1 and 3 September.
The survey revealed a significant ideological divide over Gaza's future, with 36% of respondents supporting the occupation of the entire Gaza Strip and its administration by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for several years. This represents a rise from 27% in the previous year. Support for occupation was particularly high among respondents identifying with the political right, at 62%, while 91% of those on the left opposed occupation under any circumstances.
The rejection of a withdrawal without a security perimeter was not uniform across all groups, with 59% of respondents overall stating they would not agree to such a withdrawal under any circumstances. The survey also found that views among Arab Israelis differed significantly from those of Jewish Israelis. The data were weighted according to voting patterns and religiosity to represent the adult population of Israel.
The survey examined Israeli views on Jewish farms and outposts in the occupied West Bank, with 36% of respondents stating that such settlements place a burden on the IDF and harm the security of Israeli citizens. An equal share strongly disagreed with this assessment. These findings highlight the complexities of Israeli public opinion on settlements and their impact on security.
The index also explored perceptions of victory in Israel's conflict with Gaza, with 77% of respondents on the right rating their sense of victory at the two highest levels of the survey. In contrast, 16% of respondents in the centre and 7% in the centre-left shared this view. No respondents on the left selected either of the two highest levels.
The survey also investigated Israeli views on the rise of antisemitism worldwide and its possible links to Israeli policy. Among Jewish Israelis, 44% said the increase in antisemitism was not at all caused by Israeli policy, while 34% of all Israeli respondents believed the rise was caused largely by Israeli policy.
The findings have implications for Israeli policy, with 57% of Jewish Israelis stating that Israel should make no changes to its policies due to rising antisemitism worldwide. This figure was broadly unchanged from the previous year. The survey's results provide insight into the diverse perspectives within Israeli society on key issues, including Gaza, settlements, and antisemitism.
Key points
- 72% of Israeli Jews reject Gaza pullout without security perimeter
- Significant ideological divide over Gaza's future
- 59% of respondents oppose withdrawal without security perimeter under any circumstances
