Israeli-Palestinian Peace: A Fading Hope?

Widespread Skepticism Towards Peace Prospects

A recent survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) reveals a stark reality: the prospect of a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians appears increasingly remote. A staggering 85% of Jewish Israelis surveyed expressed doubt about the feasibility of a peace deal in the near future, with 70% holding this belief "strongly."

While skepticism exists among Arab Israelis as well, it's less pronounced, with 40% believing peace is unlikely. This divide underscores the complexities of the issue and the varying perspectives within Israeli society.

Declining Support for a Long-Term Solution

The survey highlights a concerning trend: dwindling belief in the necessity of a long-term peace agreement. Only 35% of Jewish Israelis now see a peace deal as the ultimate solution, a significant drop from 43% just a year ago. Meanwhile, a slim majority (55%) of Arab Israelis still view peace as essential.

Political leanings play a crucial role in these attitudes. While left-leaning voters largely maintain their support for a peace accord, belief in its necessity falls sharply among centrist and right-leaning voters, indicating a growing polarization within Israeli society.

Shifting Sands: Control, Settlements, and Public Opinion

The JPPI survey also uncovered a notable increase in support for expanding Israeli control over Palestinian territories, including greater backing for settlement expansion. This shift reflects a changing political landscape and evolving attitudes toward the conflict.

Interestingly, the survey revealed a simultaneous decrease in support for negotiations toward a Palestinian state, dropping significantly among Jewish Israelis. These trends point toward a hardening of stances and a potentially more challenging path to resolution.

Meanwhile, support for settlements as a security asset among Jewish Israelis remains robust, contrasting sharply with the views of Arab Israelis, who overwhelmingly consider them a security burden.

Gazans, Hostages, and the Debate Over Emigration

The survey delves into complex issues, including public opinion on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the question of prioritizing hostage release over military objectives. Interestingly, both Jewish and Arab Israelis largely favor securing hostages before determining Hamas's fate in Gaza, although a significant minority of Jewish Israelis prefer immediate military action.

Another contentious topic explored is the concept of encouraging Gazan emigration. While a majority of Israelis initially supported the idea, that support has waned, with increasing doubt about its practicality. Deep divisions remain along political lines, with right-wing voters most in favor and left-wing voters largely rejecting the proposal as either irrelevant or immoral.

Looking Ahead: An Uncertain Future

Dr. Shuki Friedman, director-general of the JPPI, offers a sobering analysis of the survey results: "The survey results show that a large majority of Israelis believe that a resolution to the 'Palestinian issue'...is unlikely in the foreseeable future."

Friedman suggests this widespread skepticism presents an opportunity for Israeli society to shift its focus to pressing domestic concerns, potentially uniting across traditional political divides to address internal challenges.