Blab Politics
Syria and Lebanon Public Opinion Shifts: Majority View Hezbollah as Harmful, Favor Peace with Israel, Polls Show
When a new wave of surveys rolls out, it’s the first time in years that Syrians and Lebanese are saying the same thing: Hezbollah is a danger, and peace with Israel is possible.
The Council for a Secure America (CSA) released a set of opinion polls conducted by YouGov’s online panel in Arabic between May 26 and June 1. The surveys sampled 252 Syrians and 260 Lebanese, and each poll carries a margin of error of ±5 percentage points.
In Syria, 68 % of respondents described Hezbollah’s presence as negative, with 52 % labeling it “very negative.” Only 6 % viewed the group positively and 26 % were unsure. Sixty‑seven percent believed a future peace agreement with Israel was likely, compared with 16 % who thought it unlikely and 27 % who were uncertain. When asked whether the new Syrian government should sign a security arrangement with Israel, 53 % answered in favor, 11 % opposed, and 37 % gave no answer. The poll also shows a decline in Syrian enthusiasm for a security arrangement with Israel compared with an earlier CSA survey in January 2026, when 64 % supported the idea. The share of respondents who view the United States positively in Syria’s political and economic affairs fell from 65 % in January to 51 % in June, although it still outweighs the 22 % who view the U.S. negatively.
In Lebanon, 59 % of respondents said Hezbollah’s military presence had a negative impact on the country’s security, while only 11 % saw it positively and 40 % were unsure. A plurality of 41 % considered an eventual peace between Israel and Lebanon likely, 27 % thought it unlikely and the remainder were uncertain. Fifty‑eight percent of Lebanese respondents supported President Joseph Aoun’s efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Army and negotiate Hezbollah’s disarmament so that all armed forces operate under government authority.
The polls were conducted amid ongoing Israeli strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon on June 15, 2026, and against the backdrop of broader regional tension involving Iran and its proxies. CSA, a nonprofit that promotes strong U.S.–Israel ties and energy independence, released the findings as part of its regular public‑opinion reporting.
According to Jennifer Sutton, executive director of the CSA, the surveys reflect a clear shift in public sentiment. She noted that “more than two‑thirds now call Hezbollah’s involvement in their country harmful, a majority would back a formal security arrangement with Israel, and most expect peace between the two nations in the years ahead.” She added that the data “demolishes the assumption that Lebanese society is immovably opposed to any relationship with Israel.”
The polls do not indicate any immediate policy changes by the Syrian or Lebanese governments. However, they suggest that public opinion in both countries is moving away from support for Hezbollah’s armed role and toward the possibility of a negotiated settlement with Israel. The findings will likely be monitored by policymakers, regional analysts, and the international community as the conflict dynamics continue to evolve.
In short, the latest CSA surveys reveal a growing perception among Syrians and Lebanese that Hezbollah’s presence is detrimental to national security, a majority view that peace with Israel is attainable, and a measurable decline in support for a security arrangement with Israel in Syria. The data also highlight increasing backing for Lebanese efforts to bring Hezbollah’s military wing under state control. The implications of these shifts remain to be seen as the region’s political and security landscape continues to change.
The Council for a Secure America (CSA) released a set of opinion polls conducted by YouGov’s online panel in Arabic between May 26 and June 1. The surveys sampled 252 Syrians and 260 Lebanese, and each poll carries a margin of error of ±5 percentage points.
In Syria, 68 % of respondents described Hezbollah’s presence as negative, with 52 % labeling it “very negative.” Only 6 % viewed the group positively and 26 % were unsure. Sixty‑seven percent believed a future peace agreement with Israel was likely, compared with 16 % who thought it unlikely and 27 % who were uncertain. When asked whether the new Syrian government should sign a security arrangement with Israel, 53 % answered in favor, 11 % opposed, and 37 % gave no answer. The poll also shows a decline in Syrian enthusiasm for a security arrangement with Israel compared with an earlier CSA survey in January 2026, when 64 % supported the idea. The share of respondents who view the United States positively in Syria’s political and economic affairs fell from 65 % in January to 51 % in June, although it still outweighs the 22 % who view the U.S. negatively.
In Lebanon, 59 % of respondents said Hezbollah’s military presence had a negative impact on the country’s security, while only 11 % saw it positively and 40 % were unsure. A plurality of 41 % considered an eventual peace between Israel and Lebanon likely, 27 % thought it unlikely and the remainder were uncertain. Fifty‑eight percent of Lebanese respondents supported President Joseph Aoun’s efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Army and negotiate Hezbollah’s disarmament so that all armed forces operate under government authority.
The polls were conducted amid ongoing Israeli strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon on June 15, 2026, and against the backdrop of broader regional tension involving Iran and its proxies. CSA, a nonprofit that promotes strong U.S.–Israel ties and energy independence, released the findings as part of its regular public‑opinion reporting.
According to Jennifer Sutton, executive director of the CSA, the surveys reflect a clear shift in public sentiment. She noted that “more than two‑thirds now call Hezbollah’s involvement in their country harmful, a majority would back a formal security arrangement with Israel, and most expect peace between the two nations in the years ahead.” She added that the data “demolishes the assumption that Lebanese society is immovably opposed to any relationship with Israel.”
The polls do not indicate any immediate policy changes by the Syrian or Lebanese governments. However, they suggest that public opinion in both countries is moving away from support for Hezbollah’s armed role and toward the possibility of a negotiated settlement with Israel. The findings will likely be monitored by policymakers, regional analysts, and the international community as the conflict dynamics continue to evolve.
In short, the latest CSA surveys reveal a growing perception among Syrians and Lebanese that Hezbollah’s presence is detrimental to national security, a majority view that peace with Israel is attainable, and a measurable decline in support for a security arrangement with Israel in Syria. The data also highlight increasing backing for Lebanese efforts to bring Hezbollah’s military wing under state control. The implications of these shifts remain to be seen as the region’s political and security landscape continues to change.
