West Bank annexation supported by nearly 40% of Israeli Jews, JPPI poll finds

A recent poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) has found that nearly 40% of Israeli Jews support annexing the West Bank. Despite this, over half of respondents favor maintaining sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the territory. The poll offered four options for annexation: 37% of Israelis supported full annexation, 30% favored dividing the land, 10% wanted full transfer of sovereignty to Palestinians, and slightly more than that preferred the status quo.

Of those who favored division, 22% believed Palestinian residents should be relocated to Arab countries. However, only 14% suggested granting autonomy to Palestinians post-annexation. Importantly, less than 1% of participants advocated granting Palestinians full Israeli citizenship following annexation.

Among Arab Israelis, 19% supported annexation, provided Palestinians would receive citizenship. Yet, 23% argued for a Palestinian state to govern the entire territory. The poll also examined the US-backed Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) plan, revealing Israeli skepticism about its efficacy. Sixty-eight percent of respondents believe the Gaza situation will remain unchanged despite the plan, with this figure rising to 63% among Jewish Israelis.

Only 3% of respondents anticipated the plan would fulfill all its stated goals, including disarming Hamas. No Jewish Israelis endorsed the sentiment.

JPPI President Professor Yedidya Stern described the results as reflecting deep pessimism among Israelis regarding Gaza. He noted that this pessimism does not signify a fundamental preference for continued Israeli occupation of Gaza, but rather a profound lack of confidence in Hamas' willingness to relinquish control over the Strip. Stern emphasized that, in most Israelis' opinions, without an alternative political-security plan, Israel is likely to retain control over most of Gaza in the long term.