Israeli Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes Toward Iran
(2006 - Present)
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.
Should Israel take diplomatic steps to prevent escalation into a direct war with Iran? (INSS, August 8-11, 2024)
Israeli Jews |
Israeli Arabs |
Total | |
Yes certainly/I think so | 54% | 53% | 53% |
I don't think so/Certainly not |
35% | 17% | 32% |
DK | 11% | 31% | 15% |
Under the current circumstances, should Israel take direct military action against Iran? (INSS, August 8-11, 2024)
Israeli Jews |
Israeli Arabs |
Total | |
Yes certainly/I think so | 52% | 13% | 44% |
I don't think so/Certainly not |
33% | 59% | 39% |
DK | 15% | 29% | 18% |
After the measured exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran, which of the two countries is now in a better strategic position in the region? (Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute, May 1-6, 2024)
Israeli Jews |
Israeli Arabs |
Total | |
Israel |
46% | 23% | 43% |
Iran |
17% | 11% | 16% |
Their situation is identical |
21% | 46% | 25% |
DK | 16% | 20% | 17% |
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 |
46% |
38% |
|
November |
2013 |
52% |
27% |
|
October |
2013 |
66% |
22% |
|
July |
2012 |
26% |
66% |
|
April |
2012 |
Jerusalem Post |
45% |
40% |
February |
2012 |
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 |
75% |
21% |
|
April |
2012 |
74% |
22% |
|
March |
2012 |
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 |
43% |
41% |
|
November |
2011 |
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% |
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% |
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%
|