Israelis back war with Iran despite uncertainty and fatigue

Israelis Back War with Iran Despite Uncertainty and Fatigue

A semblance of routine is gradually resurfacing in Israel, even as large-scale Israeli-American strikes on Iran continue unabated, and the country intensifies its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Six days into the conflict, the initial surge of Iranian counterattacks has waned, prompting the easing of restrictions on public assemblies and business operations. Though air raid alarms still echo nationwide, drawing citizens to shelters, the general mood reflects a growing resolve to endure the ongoing hostilities.

Chaya Dekel, a woman in her seventies, expressed exhaustion from the prolonged tensions but remained steadfast in her backing of the war. “Iran didn’t want peace,” she remarked, emphasizing her belief that the conflict was necessary. “We’re living here, with hope that there will be an end,” she added, voicing the collective sentiment that the nation seeks stability with its people and neighbors.

Support for the war remains robust across Israeli society. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that 93% of the Jewish population endorsed the military action, while only 26% of Israeli Arabs shared the same view. “This is actually a consensus,” noted Prof Tamar Hermann, a senior research fellow involved in the survey. “Even during the last campaign against Iran, we didn’t see such overwhelming backing.”

Prof Hermann highlighted that limited damage from Iranian strikes—attributed to Israel’s advanced air defense systems—has bolstered public confidence. Officials claim these defenses intercept 80% to 90% of projectiles aimed at the country, resulting in just 10 casualties so far. Additionally, renewed trust in the military and intelligence services has emerged following the security lapses that preceded the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault, which Iran had supported as part of its “ring of fire” strategy.

Meanwhile, the Iranian leadership faces internal pressure after its security forces crushed anti-government protests, killing thousands. These demonstrations revealed widespread discontent over the clerical regime and economic instability. Seizing this moment, Israel and the US launched a coordinated strike on Iran, marking a pivotal offensive. President Donald Trump deployed an “armada” to the Middle East, the largest US military buildup since the Iraq invasion in 2003, to support the operation.

Despite the shared effort, neither Netanyahu nor Trump has clearly outlined the immediate threat Iran posed or the goals of this latest conflict. Iran has labeled the war as illegal and unjustified, though Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, hope it may lead to a shift in Iran’s leadership. The killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an air strike on Tehran—on the war’s opening day—has not yet translated into regime change, according to analysts.

Netanyahu, in a recent statement, claimed the war would “usher in an era of peace we hadn’t even dreamed of.” He dismissed concerns about dragging the US into the conflict, calling it “ridiculous.” However, in the US, public backing for Israel has dipped sharply since the Gaza war. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only a quarter of Americans support the strikes on Iran, signaling a growing divide between the two allies.