The ongoing campaign in Gaza, along with the sense of stagnation in the fighting and the high cost in lives also in areas that the IDF had previously controlled, has led to a significant decline in the Israeli public’s perception of the achievements at the end of seven months of the Swords of Iron war. Doubts about the war’s purpose and direction, as well as the lack of success in returning the hostages, also contribute to this decline.
The Swords of Iron survey for the month of May, conducted by INSS, reveals that only 34% of the Jewish public is highly satisfied with the IDF’s operational achievements in Gaza. This marks a significant decrease compared to November when the percentage was 52%. There is also a decline in the public’s perception of victory, with only 61% of the respondents in May stating that they are sure or believe that the IDF will win in Gaza, compared to 92% in October. The survey data also show decreasing support for the war’s goals and the likelihood of achieving them. While 84% of the public expressed strong support for the overthrow of the Hamas regime as the war’s goal at the beginning of the war, only 61% of those surveyed in May answered the same. Additionally, 46% of the public believes that the goals of the war will be barely achieved or not at all. Finally, the May survey reveals that 57% of the public thinks or is sure that the State of Israel is not taking adequate action to secure the release of the hostages. These findings suggest a potential fracture in the Israeli consensus regarding the war and its continuation.
The ongoing campaign in Gaza, along with the sense of stagnation in the fighting and the high cost in lives also in areas that the IDF had previously controlled, has led to a significant decline in the Israeli public’s perception of the achievements at the end of seven months of the Swords of Iron war. Doubts about the war’s purpose and direction, as well as the lack of success in returning the hostages, also contribute to this decline.
The Swords of Iron survey for the month of May, conducted by INSS, reveals that only 34% of the Jewish public is highly satisfied with the IDF’s operational achievements in Gaza. This marks a significant decrease compared to November when the percentage was 52%. There is also a decline in the public’s perception of victory, with only 61% of the respondents in May stating that they are sure or believe that the IDF will win in Gaza, compared to 92% in October. The survey data also show decreasing support for the war’s goals and the likelihood of achieving them. While 84% of the public expressed strong support for the overthrow of the Hamas regime as the war’s goal at the beginning of the war, only 61% of those surveyed in May answered the same. Additionally, 46% of the public believes that the goals of the war will be barely achieved or not at all. Finally, the May survey reveals that 57% of the public thinks or is sure that the State of Israel is not taking adequate action to secure the release of the hostages. These findings suggest a potential fracture in the Israeli consensus regarding the war and its continuation.