Syrian Poll: Israel Tops Security Fears as Democratic Support Surges
A new survey shows 61 percent of Syrians view Israel as their main threat, while support for democracy rose by 16 points since last year.
By Riya Zhao ·
Public opinion in Syria has shifted toward greater political openness while security anxieties remain concentrated on foreign neighbors. The Arab Opinion Index for Syria 2026, released on Monday, provides data on how citizens view their country's direction and its external threats.
The survey was conducted by the Doha-based Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Arab Center for Contemporary Syria Studies. Results indicate that 61 percent of respondents identified Israel as the principal threat to Syria. Iran was the second most cited concern at 20 percent. Turkiye and the United States followed with 6 percent and 5 percent support, respectively.
These figures reflect a broader regional trend. Across the Arab world, 58 percent named Israel as the greatest threat, matching last year's figure. However, the share of respondents viewing Israel as a threat to Middle Eastern security rose to 97 percent from 78 percent in 2025. The corresponding figure for Iran increased from 74 percent to 93 percent.
Specific concerns regarding Israeli actions drive much of this sentiment. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has occupied territory in southern Syria. Ninety-six percent of those surveyed believe Israel seeks to destabilize Syria, while 86 percent said it encourages separatist tendencies. Opposition to recognizing Israel reached nearly 80 percent, up from 74 percent in the previous year.
Views on diplomatic engagement are divided. While 74 percent opposed an agreement that failed to restore the Golan Heights, opinions on direct talks were split. Forty-one percent believed negotiations served Syrian interests, whereas 49 percent disagreed. Jihad el-Hamwi, a resident of Damascus interviewed by Al Jazeera, stated that changes in leadership did not alter Israel’s expansionist approach.
Internal political preferences show a strong preference for democratic structures. Seventy-six percent of respondents agreed that democracy is preferable to other systems despite its shortcomings, a 16 percentage point increase from last year. Three-quarters favored a system combining political pluralism with separation of powers. No alternative model, including Islamic law without elections, attracted more than 9 percent support.
A majority of Syrians, 87 percent, said opposition to government policies should not question a person’s patriotism. This figure rose by 20 percentage points from the previous year. Half of those surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction, citing the former government's removal, detainee releases, and sanctions relief. Thirty-five percent disagreed with this assessment.
