A comprehensive pan-Arab survey conducted by the Arab Center Washington DC has revealed that more than a quarter of Arabs perceive Israel as the most significant threat to their region. The 2025 Arab Opinion Index (AOI), the largest public opinion survey in the Arab world, gathered data from 40,130 respondents across 15 Arab nations between November 2024 and August 2025.
The findings demonstrate significant regional variations in threat perception. While 28% of all Arab respondents identified Israel as their foremost national security concern, this perception was most pronounced in the Mashreq (Levant) region at 58% and the Nile Valley at 38%. Conversely, the Maghreb and Gulf regions registered the lowest threat assessment of Israel at just 9% each, though these areas also recorded the highest rates of non-response to the question.
Iran and the United States emerged as secondary regional concerns, with both nations polling equally at 16% in the Mashreq. In the Gulf specifically, 14% of respondents identified Iran as their primary security threat. Notably, fewer than 8% of respondents across the Maghreb, Nile Valley, and Gulf regions viewed the United States as a major threat.
The survey provided unprecedented insight into Syrian public opinion following the fall of the Assad regime. A striking 88% of Syrian respondents believe Israel is actively working to undermine Syrian security and stability, while 70% oppose any normalization agreement that doesn’t include return of the Golan Heights annexed in 1967.
Regarding the Palestinian cause, an overwhelming 80% of Arabs believe it represents a collective Arab concern rather than solely a Palestinian issue. Support for this position exceeded 90% in Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia registered the lowest agreement at 62%, though 30% of Saudi respondents declined to answer.
The survey further revealed declining support for normalization with Israel, with 87% of all respondents opposing recognition of the Jewish state—a two-percentage-point increase from the previous survey cycle. Only 6% expressed support for recognition, with half of those conditioning their approval on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Methodologically, the comprehensive study employed face-to-face interviews across most regions, though researchers resorted to telephone surveys in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia due to security considerations. The findings provide crucial insights into evolving geopolitical attitudes across the Arab world.