Israeli Poll: Sharp Decline in Support for Two-State Solution, Dominance of Control and Annexation Trends

The results of a recent Israeli public opinion poll revealed a state of deep pessimism regarding the prospects of the conflict with the Palestinians, transcending traditional right-left divisions. The study's organizers explained that the results reflect a clear desire to avoid making decisive decisions, amidst the dominance of fear of the unknown and an inability to translate general understandings into concrete policies.

According to the poll conducted by researchers from Reichman University in December 2025, less than half of the Jewish public supports the idea of separation from the Palestinians in any form. The figures showed that only 22% support the two-state solution, while 23% lean towards unilateral separation, indicating a sharp decline in traditional political options.

In contrast, a majority of 55% expressed their preference for continued Israeli control over the West Bank territories. This percentage is divided between supporters of officially annexing the territories and those who prefer to maintain the status quo, escaping the implications of radical change.

Researchers Zion Heffler and Gilad Hirschberger noted that these results do not necessarily reflect an ideological adherence to the idea of 'Greater Israel'. Rather, they express a tendency to choose a path that does not require immediate concessions or tangible security risks at present, which explains the continuous erosion of support for the two-state solution since 2018.

The study confirmed that this shift in Israeli consciousness began before the events of October 7th, meaning it is a deep pattern of loss of faith in political solutions. The Jewish public believes that physical threats, such as armed operations and rockets, far outweigh symbolic or international legal threats.

Respondents view withdrawal from Palestinian territories as an immediate and clear threat to personal security, while the consequences of controlling millions of Palestinians are considered a theoretical or long-term issue. This perception creates a consistent bias in favor of avoiding separatist solutions, whether through bilateral agreements or unilateral steps.

The poll revealed a state of 'trap awareness', where the public refuses to pay the security price of withdrawal, just as it rejects the price of annexation that could harm the state's identity and global image. As a result of this contradiction, the priority emerges to postpone major decisions and maintain the current reality despite its clear instability.

Regarding the future of the Gaza Strip, more than half of the participants supported continued Israeli control over the Strip even after the end of combat operations. Widespread support emerged for ideas described as extreme, such as encouraging the emigration of Palestinian residents from Gaza, as a way to permanently remove the security threat.

In a striking paradox, the public showed openness to the idea of regional cooperation with moderate Arab countries, with more than half supporting this trend to enhance security. However, this percentage drops to only one-fifth if this cooperation is conditional on progress towards a two-state solution or making geographical concessions.

The study addressed a significant gap in understanding demographic reality, where a large majority of Jews believe there is a solid Jewish majority of 62% between the river and the sea. This conviction contradicts official census data indicating that the percentage of Jews in this region does not exceed 48%, which fuels the illusion of being able to continue control without threatening the state's future.

The results deepened the image of doubt and distrust towards Palestinians in general, with 80% of respondents believing that Palestinians primarily seek to destroy Israel. This certainty of an existential threat prevents any change in political perceptions and reinforces patterns of generalization and hostility.

This trend was not limited to Palestinians in the occupied territories but extended to Palestinians within Israel, with more than half of the Jewish public believing they supported the Hamas attack. This combination of demographic fear and security doubts reinforces hesitation in dealing with the long-term costs of continued conflict.

The researchers concluded that Israeli society is in a state of intellectual closure towards political solutions, preferring to manage the conflict rather than resolve it. The report states that the search for solutions that remove the threat, even if impractical, has become the primary driver of general political attitudes.

In conclusion, these data indicate that the gap between field reality and general perceptions in Israel is widening, complicating any international or regional efforts to revive the peace process. The option of 'postponing the decision' remains dominant, awaiting an unknown that everyone fears and lacks the tools to confront.

The Jewish public rejects withdrawal, which entails security risks, and annexation, which harms the state's image, creating a 'trap awareness' that pushes for postponing decisions and maintaining the status quo.