Jewish–Arab Relations on Campus: How War Reshapes Student Attitudes

This study presents a longitudinal examination of intergroup relations between Arab and Jewish students in an Israeli higher education institution, focusing on their willingness for intergroup closeness and actual intergroup interactions. Building upon previous data collected in 2023, the 2025 findings reveal both persisting views in certain attitudes and behaviors and changes in others. Arab students consistently reported higher levels of willingness for academic, friendship, and acquaintanceship relations, as well as more frequent intergroup interactions. In contrast, Jewish students demonstrated a significant decline in both willingness and engagement, particularly following the 7 October 2023 attacks and ensuing war between Hamas and Israel. The study highlights the gap between expressed willingness and actual behavior, emphasizing the need for structured institutional interventions to foster meaningful intergroup contact. Differences were also observed across gender and friendship status, with Arab students showing increased openness over time. The findings underscore the critical role of higher education institutions in promoting intercultural competence and suggest practical recommendations for enhancing intergroup relations in conflict-affected societies.