Anat Shapira

Analysis of the public discourse and public opinion polls conducted in Israel during the 12 days of war with Iran

What can be learned from the strategy adopted by the IDF in the field of public diplomacy during the 12-day campaign against Iran?

Over the past five years, Iran’s activity in the arena of international terrorism has significantly intensified, spreading across vast geographic regions and incorporating criminal organizations in the execution of terrorist operations. Although most Iranian terrorism attempts have been thwarted, there is no guarantee that this success will persist in the future. It is therefore necessary to examine the characteristics of Iran’s use of terrorism in order to improve the chances of countering it. This memorandum examines Iran’s policy regarding its use of terrorism in the international arena over the past five years, the trends that have characterized it, and its modes of operation-placing these elements within the broader historical context of Iran’s employment of terrorism. An analysis of Iran’s terrorism policy reveals a troubling trend, illustrating that Iran remains committed to employing international terrorism and is even amplifying its efforts in this regard, demonstrating a willingness to risk friction with numerous states in order to pursue its policy. This trend requires close attention, both in its own right and because it signals Iran’s growing audacity and confidence in violating international norms and the sovereignty of states-behaviors that may also manifest in other contexts.

Examining aspects of trust, social solidarity, optimism, and maintaining routine during the 12 days of war with Iran

This survey is the second one conducted in June 2025, focusing on the Israeli campaign against Iran. The survey was carried out before the ceasefire was announced

In recent months, the Meta corporation announced policy changes, including turning the number of “shares” into the main criteria of worth for further exposure, eliminating the fact checking system on Facebook and Instagram (as already happened on X), and raising the filtering threshold of its content moderation algorithms. These changes, combined with the noticeable way leading social media players are drawing closer to the Trump administration, pose a challenge to Israel’s national security at both the domestic and international levels. Israel should take action in various ways, including international cooperation, regulatory activity, and educational and informational measures to deal with the dangers inherent in these developments.