60% of Syrians Expect Future Peace Treaty with Israel, New Survey Finds
Independent Syrian poll reveals growing support for normalization with Israel, driven by economic hopes and minority protection narratives, despite Israel still being seen as Syria’s greatest threat.
Watan-The Syrian Center for Public Opinion Studies (MADA) reported that 60% of Syrians believe a peace treaty with Israel is likely in the future, and 40% support normalization between the two countries.
MADA, an independent research center founded by academics, journalists, and activists, published the findings in a recent report titled: “Towards Normalization: Syrian Views and Expectations on a Peace Agreement with Israel.” The survey included 2,550 participants from across Syria’s provinces.
According to the results, the highest support for a peace agreement came from the provinces of As-Suwayda and Quneitra, while support was significantly lower in Daraa and other regions.
Normalization Driven by Minority Fears and Economic Hopes, Survey Finds
The center attributed this to the rhetoric from Israel about protecting the Druze minority in the event of Assad’s fall, as well as the direct burden faced by Quneitra residents, who live along the border and witness Israeli military incursions without local or international resistance.
Dr. Hussam Al-Saad, head of the MADA Center, explained that responses varied by ethnicity, religion, and sect. Among ethnic groups, Kurds showed the strongest support for a peace treaty. Among religious groups, Christians, Ismailis, and Alawites were more supportive of normalization, compared to a lower approval rate among the Sunni majority in the sample.
The report linked this trend to Israel’s propaganda campaign around minority protection, which may have influenced Alawite and Druze sentiments toward normalization.
Economically, over 70% of respondents believed that normalization would attract Arab and international investment, thereby improving Syria’s economy.
From a security standpoint, more than half said peace with Israel could end wars in the region and improve Syria’s overall security environment.
However, despite this notable shift in public sentiment, Israel is still perceived as the top threat to Syria—followed by Iran, the United States, and Russia. Analysts suggest that support for peace stems from risk mitigation, especially given Israel’s military presence along Syria’s borders.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was viewed as the least threatening country to Syria among all nations included in the survey.
