A new study from Tel Aviv University, conducted amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, offers a rare and revealing snapshot of Israeli personal and national resilience during wartime.
Drawing comparisons with data from both the early and peak phases of the Iron Swords war—as well as from the period preceding it—the research paints a nuanced portrait of a society under sustained threat.
The findings suggest that on a personal and familial level, many Israelis have, in effect, internalized the rhythm of war. Life under missile alerts and extended shelter stays has, for many, become a new normal. While initial responses to Iran’s missile barrages included surges in anxiety, fear, and depression, most respondents appear to have adjusted to the routine stress and persistent danger.
At the broader social level, the study indicates a renewed—though somewhat more subdued—sense of community solidarity and civic mobilization compared to the early weeks of the Iron Swords conflict. However, the data also reveal ongoing fractures in perceptions of national unity, with stark differences between those aligned with the current government and those in opposition. This divergence underscores a nation that, while resilient, continues to grapple with internal tensions even as it faces external threats.
