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Israeli Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes Toward Iran

(2006 - 2023)

Note: We are presenting raw data. When available, we provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID). To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Results and reliability can be affected by such things as sample size, question wording, and question order. Responses may also be influenced by context and timing; for example, if the survey is conducted during a war.


Iran is less than a year away from being able to develop a nuclear bomb. In light of this situation, what should Israel do? (Mitvim Foreign Policy Index, July 2023)

 

Israeli Jews 

Israeli Arabs 

Total
  2023 2023 2023

Recognize a nuclear Iran as a fait accompli and focus on preparing Israel to deal with this reality

12% 36% 16%

Increase diplomatic cooperation with the international community and countries of the region in order to delay Iran’s nuclear efforts

53% 30% 49%
An all-out Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, even if it leads to a large-scale retaliation against the Israeli home front 28% 7% 25%
DK 7% 27% 10%

Agree that Israel should carry out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities even without American agreement (note % of Jews is significantly higher than Arabs - 55%-17% in 2022)? (Israel Democracy Institute, September 18–20, 2022)

  2019 2012 2021 2022

Agree

32% 23% 50% 49%

To what extent, in your opinion, does Iran now constitute an existential danger to Israel? (%, entire sample) (Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research of the Israel Democracy Institute, November 29-December 1, 2021)

 

Israeli Jews 

Israeli Arabs 

General Public 
To a very great extent

30%

7%

26%
To a great extent

31%

13%

28%
To a medium extent

24%

23%

24%
To a small extent 6% 17% 8%
Not at all 2% 20% 5%
Don't know

8%

20%

9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you agree or disagree with the view that Israel should militarily attack Iran’s nuclear facilities even without American consent? (Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research of the Israel Democracy Institute, November 29-December 1, 2021)

 

Israeli Jews 

Israeli Arabs 

General Public 
Strongly agree

31%

5%

26%
Moderately agree

27%

13%

25%
Don’t agree so much

19%

19%

19%
Don’t agree at all 6% 42% 13%
Don't know

17%

21%

18A%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you support or object to proactive IDF activity aimed at preventing an Iranian presence in Syria, even at the price of war? (INSS, National Security Index 2018-19)

 
Israeli Jews
For

73%

Against

27%

How should Israel react if Iran renews its nuclear activity? (INSS, National Security Index 2018-19)

 
Israeli Jews
Pressure the U.S. to achieve a better deal

20%

Military assault on Iran's nuclear facilities without coordinating with the U.S.

10%

Military assault on Iran's nuclear facilities in coordination with the U.S.
4i9%
Urge the U.S. to return to the existing nuclear deal
7%
Work toward replacing the Iranian regime
10%
Establish a diplomatic channel vis-a-vis Iran
4%

 

About two years after the signing of the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, do you think that the nuclear threat to Israel has...?
(Mitvim Israeli Foreign Policy Index, October 2017)

 

Israeli Jews 

Israeli Arabs 

General Public 

Decreased

7%

24%

10%

Increased

30%

14%

28%

Remained Unchanged

53%

46%

52%

Don't know/decline to answer

10%

16%

10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What, in your opinion, are the chances that in the coming year a war will break out between Israel and Iran?
(The Peace Index, June 2017)

 

Israeli Jews 

Israeli Arabs 

General Public 

Very low chances

43.3%

45.8%

43.7%

Moderately low chances

39.8%

28.7%

37.9%

Moderately high chances

7.1%

12.0%

7.9%

Very high chances

1.1%

2.7%

1.3%

Don't know/decline to answer

8.7%

10.8%

9.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Do you Support or Oppose a Unilateral Israeli Attack on Iran's Nuclear Facilities?”*

Month

Year

Pollster

Support

Oppose

November

2013

New Wave Research

46%

38%

November

2013

Israel Hayom

52%

27%

October

2013

Israel Hayom

66%

22%

July

2012

Peace Index

26%

66%

April

2012

Jerusalem Post

45%

40%

February

2012

Peace Index

21%

63%

April

2009

Maagar Mohot Institute

75%

15%

March

2009

Truman Institute

54%

35%

December

2007

Israel Radio

21%

67%

February

2007

Peace Index

49%

45%

November

2006

Maariv

49%

46%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* - Not necessarily exact question wording

Yes or No: A Nuclear-Armed Iran Constitutes an Existential Threat to Israel?”*

Month

Year

Pollster

YES

NO

April

2013

Dahaf/Knesset

75%

21%

April

2012

Dahaf/Knesset

74%

22%

March

2012

JCPA

77%

21%

November

2007

Haaretz

74%

19%

February

2007

Peace Index

82%

18%

November

2006

Maariv

66%

32%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* - Not necessarily exact question wording

Do you Support or Oppose an International Attack on Iran's Nuclear Facilities?”*

Month

Year

Pollster

Support

Oppose

April

2012

Jerusalem Post

72%

14%

February

2012

Peace Index

62%

34%

December

2011

Brookings

43%

41%

November

2011

Haaretz

41%

39%

April

2008

Maagar Mohot Institute

35%

51%

August

2006

Maariv

63%

30%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* - Not necessarily exact question wording

Do you believe Iran will halt its nuclear program following the interim agreement with the P5+1?
              (New Wave Research, November 2013)

Will Not Halt

76.4%

Will Halt

12.6%

Don't Know

11%

Should Israel support or oppose an agreement being developed with Iran?
              (Israel Hayom, November 2013)

Support

16%

Oppose

66%

Don't Know

18%

According to media reports, Israel's senior security echelon, including the Chief of Staff and the heads of the Mossad and the Israel Security Agency, currently oppose an Israeli attack on Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak, however, say that sanctions on Iran are not helping and it is necessary to act before Iran attains nuclear weapons capability. On this issue, on whose judgment do you rely more? (Peace Index, July 2012)

 

Israeli Jews

That of the PM and DM

27.8%

That of the senior security echelon

57.1%

That of both to the same degree

1.6%

That of neither of them

4.7%

Don't know/decline to answer

8.8%

Some claim that Netanyahu and Barak’s statements that Israel will attack Iran by itself if it has no other choice are just a bluff aimed at pressuring the Americans to act more resolutely against the Iranian threat. Others claim that their statements reflect their real intention—to attack Iran. With which claim do you agree more? (Peace Index, July 2012)

 

Israeli Jews

That this is a bluff aimed at getting the Americans to act more resolutely

56.7%

That the statements reflect a real intention to attack

30.0%

Don't know/decline to answer

13.3%

In his most recent visit, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta claimed that the sanctions on Iran are starting to have an effect and promised that “Iran will never have nuclear weapons.” Do you think Israel can or cannot rely on Panetta’s promise? (Peace Index, July 2012)

 

Israeli Jews

I'm sure it can

3.2%

I think it can

19.2%

I think it can't

34.7%

I am sure it can't

35.3%

Don't know/decline to answer

7.6%

Some claim that apparently, it will be impossible to prevent Iran from nuclearizing in the long term, and therefore Israel should come to terms with this and devise a defense strategy based on the assumption that it is not the only nuclear state in the region. Do you agree or not agree with this approach? (Peace Index, July 2012)

 

Israeli Jews

I don't agree at all

20.3%

I moderately disagree

15.1%

I moderately agree

43.9%

I strongly agree

16.1%

Don't know/decline to answer

4.6%

Does the forming of a national unity government advance the struggle of Israel against the Iranian nuclear program? (TNS for Maariv, May 8, 2012)

Yes

44.9%

No

39.5%

Don't know

15.6%

Would the price Israel would have to pay for living with the threat of an Iranian bomb be greater than the price it would pay for attacking Iran's nuclear facilities? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Yes - the price Israel would have to pay for living with an Iranian bomb would be greater than the price it would pay for attacking Iran's nuclear facilities

65%
(73% of men; 56% of women)

No - the price Israel would have to pay for living with an Iranian bomb would NOT be greater than the price it would pay for attacking Iran's nuclear facilities

27%

Only military action could stop Iran's nuclear program? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Agree

60%
(70% of men; 50% of women)

Disagree

37%

Do you agree or disagree with the statement that the Israeli home front will suffer equally whether Israel attacks Iran or the United States does? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Agree

63%

Disagree

29%

Do you think that the Israel Defense Forces could significantly damage Iran's nuclear program? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Yes

64%

No

29%

Do you agree with the statement that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, it will use them against Israel? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Yes

61%

No

34%

Do you think that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, the Palestinians and Hizbullah will grow more belligerent toward Israel? (JCPA, March 26, 2012)

Yes

75%

No

21%

Assuming that Iran is both able and intending to produce nuclear weapons, and assuming that Israel, according to various sources, also has nuclear weapons, what in your opinion are the chances that once Iran has nuclear weapons, it will use them against Israel? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Arabs

Very high chances

18.9%

17.3%

27.8%

Moderately high chances

32.3%

34.0%

22.2%

Moderately low chances

29.4%

29.3%

30.0%

Very low chances

13.6%

12.8%

17.8%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

5.9%

6.5%

2.2%

In your opinion, will the sanctions now being imposed by Western countries cause or not cause Iran to stop its development of nuclear weapons? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Arabs

I'm sure they will

5.8%

2.9%

22.2%

I think they will

17.6%

17.6%

17.8%

I think they won't

41.1%

44.7%

21.1%

I'm sure they won't

33.2%

32.4%

37.8%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

2.3%

2.5%

1.1%

In your opinion what are the chances that Israel will carry out a strike soon, even without cooperation with the United States? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012; August 8, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Jews (July)

Arabs

Very high chances

8.1%

6.4%

4.9%

17.8%

Moderately high chances

26.4%

15.5%

28.2%

12.2%

Moderately low chances

36.8%

39.1%

41.9%

23.3%

Very low chances

19.2%

15.5%

13.7%

40.0%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

9.5%

10.1%

11.3%

6.7%

In your assessment, what are the chances that such an attack, conducted without U.S. cooperation, would succeed in stopping Iran's nuclearization for a substantial period of time? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012; August 8, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Jews (July)

Arabs

Very high chances

16.7%

16.3%

19.6%

18.9%

Moderately high chances

35.3%

36.8%

34.7%

26.7%

Moderately low chances

27.4%

27.3%

26.5%

27.8%

Very low chances

13.5%

11.5%

9.0%

24.4%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

7.1%

8.0%

10.1%

2.2%

If an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is carried out with U.S. cooperation, what, in your assessment, are the chances that such an attack would succeed in stopping Iran’s nuclearization for a substantial time? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012; August 8, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Jews (July)

Arabs

Very high chances

7.5%

5.7%

4.6%

17.8%

Moderately high chances

17.6%

17.1%

14.8%

20.0%

Moderately low chances

43.2%

43.8%

47.4%

40.0%

Very low chances

26.7%

28.4%

28.3%

16.7%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

5.1%

5.0%

4.9%

5.6%

Defense Minister Barak recently said that in case of an attack on Iran, if Israeli citizens obey instructions and remain in their homes, Iran’s retaliatory strikes will probably cause only about 500 casualties. In your eyes, is this prediction about casualties more or less accurate, or will there be more or fewer casualties than this number? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Arabs

Barak's estimate of 500 casualties is more or less accurate

11.5%

12.7%

4.4%

The number of casualties will be lower

13.6%

11.7%

24.4%

The number of casualties will be higher

59.6%

60.5%

54.4%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

15.4%

15.1%

16.7%

If the number of Israeli casualties is in the thousands, and assuming that the objective of a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is achieved, in your opinion, would Israel's national resilience be able to withstand this or not? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Arabs

I'm sure it wouldn't

11.7%

8.9%

27.8%

I think it wouldn't

25.9%

23.7%

38.9%

I think it would

35.1%

38.8%

14.4%

I'm sure it would

19.4%

20.1%

15.6

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

7.8%

8.5%

3.3%

The media recently reported that in his upcoming meeting with President Obama, President Peres will express opposition to an Israeli attack on Iran. In your opinion, it is or is it not appropriate for Peres to take a public stand on this issue as President of Israel? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

 

General Public

Jews

Arabs

I'm sure it's appropriate

19.6%

16.2%

38.9%

I think it's appropriate

32.4%

32.4%

32.2%

I think it's inappropriate

23.8%

23.7%

24.4%

I'm sure it's inappropriate

21.9%

25.0%

4.4%

I don't know/ Refuse to answer

2.3%

2.7%

--

There has been increased talk of a military strike by Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities, even though the United States, the UK and Germany have advised against it. What do you think Israel should do? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

Strike Iran's nuclear facilities, even without the support of the US

19%

22%

Strike only if Israel gains at least American support

42%

43%

Do not strike

34%

32%

What do you believe the likely outcome would be if Israel strikes Iran? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

It would delay Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by 1-2 years

9%

10%

It would delay Iran's capabilities by 3-5 years

22%

25%

It would delay Iran's capabilities by more than 5 years

22%

19%

It would accelerate Iran's nuclear program

11%

12%

It would have no effect on Iran's nuclear program

19%

21%

Given America's recommendation that Israel not strike Iran, what do you believe the U.S. government's reaction would be if Israel strikes anyway? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

It would join the war on Israel's behalf

27%

28%

It would support Israel diplomatically, but not provide military assistance

39%

37%

It would stay neutral

14%

16%

It would punish Israel by reducing its current support to Israel

15%

16%

In your estimation, how long would an armed conflict with Iran last if Israel strikes its nuclear facilities? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

Days

18%

20%

Weeks

19%

20%

Months

29%

29%

Years

22%

21%

If Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities, in your view, how would this affect the Iranian government? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

It would be strengthened

44%

38%

It would have no effect

4%

4%

It would be weakened

45%

49%

If Israel strikes, what do you think Hezbollah would do? (Brookings, February 26, 2012)

 

All Israelis

Israeli Jews only

Hezbollah would join Iran in retaliation

68%

74%

Hezbollah would only retaliate if Israel strikes them, too

27%

23%

Attitudes among Jewish Israelis: (Peace Index, December 14, 2011)

the proclaimed efforts of Western states to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear capability are not real and genuine

52%

Israel should come to terms with the fact that Iran will ultimately have nuclear weapons, and should develop a security strategy based on the assumption that Israel will not be the only nuclear state in the region

61%

Which would be better: for both Israel and Iran to have nuclear weapons, or for neither to have nuclear weapons? (World Public Opinion, December 1, 2011)

neither

65%

both

19%

Do you think that sanctions by the West will prevent Iran from making nuclear weapons? (Israel Hayom, November 22, 2011)

Yes

41.3%

No

48.6%

Don't know

10%

Are you confident in the decisions made in the Iranian matter by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak? (Haaretz, November 2, 2011)

Yes

52%

No

37%

Don't know/no reply

11%

Should there be public discussion of the attack or does this cause damage? (Haaretz, November 2, 2011)

Causes damage

51%

Important to have discussion

39%

Don't know

10%

What are the chances that attacking Iran will cause a war against Hezbollah and Hamas? (Haaretz, November 2, 2011)

High

59%

Moderate

21%

Low

7%

No chance

5%

Don't know

8%

If Iran gets an atomic bomb will you consider leaving Israel? (Haaretz, November 2, 2011)

Yes

11%

No

84%

Don't know

5%

The following percent of Israelis... (Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, May 22, 2009)

would consider leaving the country if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon.

23%

believe Iran will obtain an atomic bomb.

81%

does not believe that the current American policy of engagement will persuade Iran to change its course

74%

believe that Israel should wait for the results of US engagement before pursuing alternative paths.

49%

support an immediate Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.

51%

The following percent of Israelis, based on self-identified political and religious alignment and age, are fearful of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon (Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, May 22, 2009)

Left wing

80%

Right wing

67%

Centrist

88%

Secular

88%

Ultra-Orthodox Haredim

67%

Aged 42 and older

89%

Aged younger than 42

61%

The following percent of Israelis, based on age, would immigrate should Iran acquire a nuclear weapon (Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, May 22, 2009)

Aged 42 and older

89%

Aged younger than 42

64%

The following percent of Israelis, based on self-identified religious and political and gender orientations, favor attacking Iran (Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, May 22, 2009)

Men

61%

Women

47%

Secular

51%

National Religious

62%

Haredi

60%

Left wing

38%

Right wing

63%

Do you count on the USA and on the Europeans to succeed in stopping the nuclear program of Iran by peaceful means and via UN Security Council resolutions? (Maariv, November 24, 2006)

Yes
24%
No
75%

 

 

 

Do you think that in the end, even if it is a matter of taking a number of years, the Iranians will succeed in their efforts to get nuclear weapons? (Maariv, November 24, 2006)

Yes
70%
No
18%

 

 

 

If Iran succeeds in attaining military nuclear capability, will you consider leaving the country? (Maariv, November 24, 2006)

Won't leave the county under any circumstances
70%
Would consider leaving but probably stay
20%
Might leave
7%

 

 

 

 

Should Israel attack Iran even if it expects an Iranian response that will cost dearly in losses, and the resulting postponement in the Iranian nuclear program will be for only a short period? (Maariv, November 24, 2006)

Attack
45%
Don't
49%

 

 

 

If it turns out that all the international diplomatic efforts fail, should Israel attack the Iranian nuclear facilities even alone and without international support? (Maariv, November 9, 2006)

Yes

49%

No

46%

 

 

 

 

 

Do you count on the United States and on the Europeans to succeed in stopping the nuclear program of Iran by peaceful means and via United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions? (Maariv, November 9, 2006)

Yes

24%

No

75%

 

 

 

 

 

Do you count on PM Ehud Olmert's handling of the nuclear threat and the conflict with Iran? (Israel Radio's “Another Matter,” September 15, 2006)

Yes
20%
No
55%
Other
25%