Half of Israeli Jews Back Occupation of Gaza and Expulsion of Residents, New Poll Shows

Nearly half of Israel’s Jewish public (49%) supports a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, the expulsion of its residents, and the establishment of Jewish settlements in the territory — according to a new survey conducted by the Smith Institute. By contrast, 44% of respondents favor one of several withdrawal scenarios, either partial or complete.

The poll highlights a dramatic divide between coalition and opposition voters. Among supporters of governing parties, 71% back occupation and expulsion, compared with only 17% among opposition voters.

Within the coalition bloc, Likud voters were found to be somewhat more moderate: 63% favor occupation, compared with 80% among Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit voters, and 89% among Shas supporters. About a third of Likud voters (30%) support some form of withdrawal, a rate significantly higher than in other coalition parties.

Opposition voters leaned the other way. Nearly half (49%) support a full withdrawal combined with a one-kilometer security buffer inside Gaza, while 28% prefer a gradual, controlled withdrawal over the next one to two years. Israel Beiteinu was the most hawkish opposition party, with 33% of its voters favoring occupation and settlement, compared to just 18% in the National Unity party and 10% in Yesh Atid.

The survey was commissioned by the Smith Institute, led by pollster Rafi Smith. It was conducted online on August 20–21, 2025, among a representative sample of 650 Jewish adults in Israel, with a maximum margin of error of 4%.