A majority of the Israeli public believes the country must secure its borders with military buffer zones and a permanent security presence in strategic locations, according to a new survey published Tuesday. The poll, conducted for the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), reveals a widespread shift in public opinion following the lessons learned from the October 7, 2023, massacre.
The findings show significant public skepticism towards solutions based on international guarantees or territorial withdrawals. The survey found that 54% of Israelis feel the country’s borders are not adequately protected, compared to 42% who believe they are. Additionally, 56% of respondents attribute the security failure of October 7 to a combination of factors rather than a single cause.
Support for buffer zones zcross borders
Regarding the Gaza Strip, approximately three-quarters of the public supports a security buffer zone. This includes 64% who favor a permanent military zone and another 11% who support it as a temporary measure.
On the northern border with Lebanon, 73% of Israelis support the IDF maintaining a presence and a buffer zone in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, with only 14% opposing the idea. Similarly, 60% support continued Israeli control and a security presence on the Syrian border.
In the West Bank, 57% view a permanent Israeli military presence in the Jordan Valley as a non-negotiable security necessity, irrespective of future political agreements. Only 11% believe this presence could be relinquished.
Distrust in international solutions and past agreements
The survey also highlighted a profound lack of faith in international oversight, with 65% of Israelis stating they do not trust international forces to replace the IDF on the nation’s borders. Of this group, 40% believe only Israel can defend itself, while 25% pointed to the historical ineffectiveness of international security forces.
This sentiment extends to peace negotiations, as 61% of Israelis would oppose an agreement requiring a complete withdrawal from the West Bank without Israeli-controlled buffer zones. The poll also indicates a public reassessment of past policies, with 48% now viewing the Oslo Accords as a strategic mistake and 56% saying the same about the Gaza disengagement plan.