Pew Poll Reveals Israeli Confidence in Peace with Palestinians at Historic Low Amid Gaza Conflict

By: Ariella Haviv

A newly released Pew Research Center poll paints a grim picture of Israeli public sentiment regarding prospects for peace with the Palestinians, with optimism plummeting to its lowest levels since the survey question was first posed in 2013. As reported by World Israel News on Friday. only 21% of Israelis currently believe peaceful coexistence with Palestinians is possible—a sharp 14-point drop from the previous year.

The poll, conducted between February 5 and March 11, 2025, amidst a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, reflects the enduring trauma and skepticism stemming from the brutal war that erupted on October 7, 2023. That conflict, initiated by a large-scale Hamas murderous rampage into Israeli territory that left 1200 dead and 250 taken into captivity in Gaza, left deep scars in the Israeli psyche—particularly among Jewish citizens.

According to the information provided in the World Israel News report, just 16% of Jewish Israelis—a group constituting the overwhelming majority of the country’s population—believe that peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state is viable. In contrast, 40% of Israeli Arabs remain hopeful, though that figure too represents a decline compared to previous years.

The poll identifies the erosion of trust between Israelis and Palestinians as the primary obstacle to coexistence, surpassing even traditionally intractable issues such as the status of Jerusalem, settlements in Judea and Samaria, and internal political divisions within both Israeli and Palestinian societies.

“Years of failed negotiations, relentless waves of terrorism, and ideological schisms have rendered the idea of peace not only remote, but, for many, unreachable,” a security analyst told World Israel News.

Only 56% of Israelis surveyed expressed a desire to actively work toward lasting peace with the Palestinians—a significant majority but still a troubling statistic in a nation founded on the hope of securing peace in a turbulent region. Perhaps more striking, just 41% of respondents believe Palestinians themselves are interested in peace.

This perception of apathy—or outright hostility—on the part of the Palestinian leadership was further reinforced by findings that only 45% of Israelis believe the Palestinian Authority is making a genuine effort toward peace, as was reported by World Israel News. Meanwhile, 47% said they believed Israel’s own government was pursuing peace, illustrating growing domestic disillusionment.

Despite these bleak numbers, Israelis remain somewhat open to foreign intervention—particularly from the United States. An overwhelming 81% of respondents believe the U.S. can play a pivotal role in efforts to secure peace. This stands in stark contrast to the skepticism expressed toward other foreign powers, whose influence is viewed as marginal or counterproductive.

The poll also revealed mixed views on President Donald Trump’s role in peace efforts. While 42% of Israelis see Trump as fair, 50% believe he is too biased in favor of Israel. Just 2% perceive him as favoring the Palestinians. World Israel News reported that Trump’s re-engagement with Middle East diplomacy in his second term has been marked by his revived efforts to restructure U.S. foreign aid and broker regional normalization deals—moves that are being closely watched in Jerusalem and Ramallah alike.

As the World Israel News report indicated, this survey reflects more than public opinion—it reflects a nation grappling with existential questions. The combination of war fatigue, political polarization, and the ever-present threat of terrorism has led many Israelis to question whether a two-state solution, long championed by the international community, is still viable.

At the same time, some voices within Israeli society are urging renewed efforts to foster dialogue and trust, particularly at the grassroots level. Civil society organizations, educators, and interfaith leaders continue to advocate for small-scale cooperation as a precursor to broader reconciliation.

Yet, as the Pew poll illustrates with stark clarity, the window for optimism is narrowing. The events of the past year have hardened attitudes, and unless significant changes occur—on both sides of the conflict—the dream of peaceful coexistence may remain indefinitely deferred.