Israelis and Palestinian Arabs lose faith in peace – new poll

A new Pew Research Center poll shows that a majority of Israelis and Palestinian Arabs no longer believe in the possibility of peaceful coexistence. Only 17% of Israelis and 21% of Palestinian Arabs consider peace possible. The figure for Israel is the lowest in a decade. The main obstacles are territorial disputes and security issues, exacerbated by the war after October 7.

A new Pew Research Center poll, published on September 21, 2026, records record skepticism among Israelis and Palestinian Arabs regarding the prospects for peaceful coexistence. According to the data, only 17% of Israelis believe peaceful coexistence with an independent Palestinian state is possible, while 56% hold the opposite view. Among Palestinian Arabs surveyed in Judea and Samaria and East Jerusalem, 21% see the possibility of a peaceful solution, while 68% consider it impossible. For Israel, this figure is the lowest in over a decade of such surveys. In 2026, for the first time, more than half of Israeli participants directly stated they do not believe in peace. The difference between groups within Israel is particularly notable: among Jews, 16% consider a solution possible, 64% do not; among Israeli Arabs, 23% see a possibility, 26% do not, and 46% were undecided. Respondents cite territorial disputes and security issues as the main obstacles. Israeli Jews fear that a Palestinian state could acquire military capabilities. Palestinian Arabs point to Israeli control, settlements, and checkpoints. The war following the October 7 attack has deepened mistrust. The poll surveyed 1,001 Israelis and 1,038 Palestinian Arabs. The Gaza Strip was not included.