19-07-2025
Most Israelis support temporary military occupation of Gaza, JCFA survey finds
64% of Jewish Israelis and 52% of all Israelis prefer the option of a temporary occupation of the Gaza Strip after the war, according to a survey that asked 700 participants.
A majority of Israelis support a temporary military occupation to replace Hamas as the governing body in the Gaza Strip, according to a survey conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA).
64% of Jewish Israelis and 52% of all Israelis prefer the option of a temporary occupation of the Gaza Strip after the war, according to a survey that asked 700 participants.
Also, only 4% of respondents believe Hamas should stay in power after the war, showing an overwhelming Israeli rejection of any option that could leave the terror organization governing Gaza.
The poll also indicates that a clear Israeli majority (64%) opposed establishing a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with only 8% supporting a Palestinian state without conditions, and 17% supporting it under conditions such as recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and being demilitarized.
Even when the normalization with Saudi Arabia was thrown as an option, the majority of Israelis opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state. Stats only rose a little when including the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and demilitarization, with 24% of Israelis supporting this option.
Arab Israelis don't show a consensus on the solution to the war
Among Arab respondents, 41% are undecided, while 20% favor a technocratic model. A regional involvement model proposed by an Arab force received only limited support (10%), with more than one-fifth expressing no clear opinion.
This lack of consensus was also shown when surveying about Arab Israeli support of a Palestinian state, with 34% supporting an unconditional Palestinian state, and an additional 26% supporting it under certain conditions.
There is still widespread support for the Palestinian Authority, with only 30% of Arab Israelis showing distrust and opposing any involvement of the PA in the future plans for Gaza.
Real division is noticeable in US President Donald Trump's plan for relocating Gazans, with 56% of Arab Israelis opposing it.
The broad consensus is clear: 'No Hamas in Gaza'
Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, emphasizes: 'The Israeli public sends a clear and unequivocal message, there is no place for Hamas in Gaza on the day after the war. There is no willingness to pay the bloody price of war only to return to the situation that existed on October 6, 2023.'
He also added: 'The strong support for temporary military rule and overwhelming opposition to a Palestinian state, even in exchange for possible normalization, reflect a deeply rooted understanding since the terrible massacre of October 7: Israeli security takes precedence over any diplomatic process.'
