The Surprising Majority: Most Israelis Are Ready for a Palestinian State

Israeli proponents of continuing the war in Gaza would like you to believe that there’s no alternative. They claim the Israeli public won’t accept any of the “day after” scenarios to replace Hamas or build region-wide normalization and security. “A large majority of the Israeli public,” they say, can’t accept a key sticking point: a Palestinian state.

But according to new data, that’s simply wrong.

New public opinion research we conducted as part of ALLMEP’s AI Pulse initiative found the exact opposite: in a survey concluded in mid-May, 75% of Israelis said they would support or accept recognition of a “Palestinian state” in the context of a regional normalization deal with full diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. The survey used a representative sample of the Israeli population with a margin of error of ±5.9% at 95% confidence.

These findings are surprising because they contradict some of the loudest voices in the public square. But this is just one of several massive gaps between most Israelis and their government. The vast majority — as much as 69% — consistently support ending the war in favor of a hostage deal, for instance. 82% of Israelis even said in ALLMEP’s February survey that they support pressure on governments to end hostilities.

In fact, even as those in power use claims of security to justify their expanding military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and rejection of a Palestinian state, most Israelis aren’t buying it. Indeed, they told us that they believe increasing control of these territories will actually hurt them and diminish their security.

We asked Israelis what consequences they expect from annexing the West Bank instead of pursuing regional normalization with a Palestinian state. Most had overwhelmingly negative predictions. They said annexation would place an “overwhelming burden on Israel’s military and economy” (72%), increase terrorism (63%), harm “prospects for long-term peace” (61%), and lead to “international isolation and economic sanctions” (59%).

These thoughtful, if surprising, answers suggest that the public is not only responding to emotion or fear. People are also weighing real risks and rewards. They want the war, the suffering of the hostages, the insecurity, and the conflict to end. And they see regional normalization as a real way out.

This data should be a call to action — even a roadmap — for a number of key stakeholders and audiences who care about this issue.

First, international political and civil society leaders are about to gather at three major international meetings to address the conflict this month: at the Paris Peace Forum next week, then at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada, and at the French-Saudi UN conference on the two-state solution the week after. The Israeli public’s readiness should offer extra fuel to all involved — including President Trump. If they lead towards regional peace, the Israeli public will be with them.

Second, the data should embolden Israel’s friends. Jewish and evangelical supporters who care about Israel’s future can now speak with even greater confidence: supporting regional peace and a two-state solution means standing with the Israeli people. The right thing to do aligns with what most people think is right.

Third, even in the midst of profound loss and trauma, Palestinians can draw hope from these numbers. There can be a real partner. A strong Israeli majority is open to a deal that would mean dignity, security, and self-determination for all. That can be the foundation for new steps toward reconciliation.

Finally, most Israelis, who prefer to seek regional peace and security, need to know that their own voices are not outliers. They may not yet be the loudest, but they are the majority. They have the numbers on their side if only they step out of the shadows to be heard.

For too long, a loud and extreme minority has dominated the conversation — with disastrous consequences. But the numbers don’t lie: at this critical moment, the Israeli majority says it’s ready for a better future built on regional peace and security. If they step forward — and if the world walks with them — that future is within reach.