More than 40% of West Bank Palestinians believe Israel doesn’t have a right to exist, poll finds

A recent poll in the West Bank reveals that more than 40% of Palestinians believe Israel has no right to exist, according to the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). The survey of 400 individuals, conducted between June 27 and July 2, 2026, highlights a divided stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While 41% of respondents believe Israel should exist, 46% hold the opposite view.

Additionally, 42% think it is possible to bring about the end of Israel's existence, compared to 32% who believe it is impossible.

The poll also found that 27% of Palestinians favor a two-state solution, 22% support a single binational state with equal rights, and 26% prefer a Palestinian state without Jewish presence. Only 17% of those polled would like to see a Palestinian state that allows Jews as residents or citizens.

Despite this skepticism towards Israel's right to exist, 52% of respondents still favor negotiations as a means to end the conflict, while only 12% prefer armed resistance. Moreover, 57% of Palestinians believe that violence has failed, and international diplomatic efforts are more fruitful. This sentiment aligns with the majority's preference for the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to administer the Gaza Strip, chosen by 32% of respondents.

Other options include the Palestinian Authority (21%), a Fatah-Hamas unity government (21%), and Hamas (5%).

Unemployment and settler violence are the top concerns, with 97% of respondents identifying unemployment as a major issue and 96% citing settler violence. Many Palestinians have been personally affected by settler attacks (14%), heard firsthand accounts (22%), or witnessed such incidents through media and social networks (33%). Additionally, 91% expressed concern over IDF operations in the West Bank, and 60% reported a low or very low sense of personal security.