Israeli Sociologist on Iran Conflict, Hezbollah & Hope for Political Change

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are taking a profound psychological toll on Israeli society, with citizens expressing a growing sense of war weariness even as they largely support the government’s response to recent escalations. This sentiment is particularly acute for those, like Professor Mona Khoury, who find themselves caught between their homeland and commitments abroad.

Khoury, a sociologist and Vice President of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, was 12,000 kilometers away from Israel, at the University of California, Los Angeles, when the latest surge in violence erupted. She was in the US for a research project and has since been stranded overseas, most recently in Vienna, awaiting a return flight to Tel Aviv – contingent on the airport’s reopening. She maintains contact with her family, including her elderly mother and aunt in Haifa, via WhatsApp and video calls. “They have no dedicated bomb shelter. they grab refuge in a bunker,” she explained. “My aunt, who uses a wheelchair, stays there overnight.”

Israel has been in a near-constant state of conflict for the past two and a half years, first with Hamas, then with Hezbollah, and now with renewed tensions with Iran and its allies in Lebanon. Although a significant majority of Israelis support the current military actions against Iran, Khoury, who identifies as an Israeli Arab, articulates a widespread feeling of exhaustion: “We are tired of war. When will it all end?”

The psychological impact on Israeli society is substantial, Khoury notes. A significant proportion of students at the Hebrew University – nearly a third – have been called up as reservists, facing their fifth or sixth deployment. Children are growing up with the constant threat of air raid sirens and the reality of living in a war zone. “Politicians justify every war,” she said, “but the price we pay is high.”

Khoury expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of regime change as a solution to regional instability, noting its historical failures in the Middle East. She argues that military action will not eradicate ideologies like that of Hezbollah or Hamas. “Heads will be replaced,” she stated, emphasizing the demand for a more comprehensive and lasting resolution.

The simultaneous conflicts with Iran and Hezbollah are diverting attention and resources from the reconstruction of Gaza. Israel is threatening to resume military operations in Gaza to disarm Hamas, which is consolidating its control over areas not under Israeli military control through policing activities and tax collection. The Trump Plan, intended to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has effectively stalled. “We must not rely solely on the United States,” Khoury cautioned, advocating for a greater role for regional powers in mediating and stabilizing the situation.

The conflict in Gaza has also altered the dynamics between Jewish Israelis and Arab citizens of Israel, Khoury observed. “We are becoming easier targets.” She expressed hope for a change in government in the upcoming elections, and for a united opposition front, potentially including support from Arab parties. However, she does not believe the elections will be brought forward, as the current conflict has not yet significantly shifted public opinion. Polling data suggests the balance of power remains largely unchanged.

A new government, Khoury believes, must address the challenges left by the current administration, including halting settlement expansion in the West Bank and ending what she describes as the “eternal war.” The need for a fundamental shift in approach is becoming increasingly urgent, as the cycle of violence continues to extract a heavy toll on Israeli society and the wider region.

Khoury’s perspective highlights the complex realities facing Israel, a nation grappling with ongoing security threats, internal divisions, and a growing sense of fatigue amidst prolonged conflict. Her observations underscore the urgent need for a more sustainable and comprehensive approach to peace and stability in the Middle East.