Half of Israelis Support Independent Strike on Iran, 56% Push for Escalation in Lebanon

SadaNews - A recent survey conducted by the Israeli National Security Studies Institute revealed a profound state of anxiety and confusion prevailing in Israeli society regarding crucial issues, highlighting a significant gap between public aspirations and political leadership performance. The Iranian issue topped the list of security concerns, with a staggering 78% expressing worry about this matter, while nearly half of Israelis, at 50.5%, supported delivering an independent military strike on Tehran should the United States reach a nuclear agreement with it. This offensive stance is not limited to Iran alone but extends to the northern front, where 56% of respondents believe the situation in Lebanon can no longer be tolerated, prompting a return to the option of full-scale war.

Regarding the Palestinian issue and regional transformations, the results showed a clear coldness towards traditional peace tracks, as the vast majority opposed making political concessions in exchange for normalization, with supporters of a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state not exceeding 28%. Domestically, more than half of Israelis, at 51.5%, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of moving to "stage two" of military operations in the Gaza Strip, considering that this shift does not serve Israeli interests at the present time, reflecting a lack of clarity in the strategic vision for war objectives among the public.

On the domestic front, the survey sent red warning signals regarding the erosion of trust in political institutions and the cohesion of the social fabric, with 84% expressing concern over internal social tensions, surpassing the 72% concern regarding external security threats. This social crisis coincided with a collapse in trust in leadership, as 69% expressed distrust in the current government, while distrust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached 64%. These geopolitical fears are distributed across multiple fronts, beginning with the West Bank at 65%, passing through Gaza and Lebanon, and reaching Syria and Yemen, placing decision-makers in Tel Aviv before a shaky internal front demanding military resolution while simultaneously lacking confidence in their leadership.