Prospects for Peace

The Geneva Initiative HQ in Israel has just released a new poll of Israeli public attitudes regarding Palestinian issues, the peace process, and latest developments.  The poll was conducted by a well-respected Israeli research group -- Gal Hachadash ("New Wave Research").  The survey was conducted among a representative sample of 600 Israelis with a +/-4% margin of error.  The results show an Israeli public that is willing to be supportive of a peace process towards a realistic two-state solution, but that has lost belief in that process and that takes a more pragmatic attitude towards Hamas than its government.  Here are the key findings:

1. Do you support or oppose Israel talking to Hamas at the present time regarding a ceasefire, preventing a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, resolving the issue of crossings, creating basic economic conditions, and securing the release of Gilad Shalit?

Support               Oppose

57%                     36% 

2.  What should the government of Israel do?

Negotiate with President Abbas        Negotiate with Syria.      

15%                                                7%                                           

Negotiate with both President Abbas and Syria.

49%

None of the above.

23% 

3.  Do you support or oppose Israel negotiating permanent status issues with President Abbas at the present time?

Support            Oppose

66%                     26.5%

4.  Belief that a permanent status agreement can be reached with Abbas:

Believe            Don't Believe

40%                     53% 

5.  Support for a permanent status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians based on the substance of the Geneva Initiative and Clinton Parameters (respondents were read the content and not the name 'Geneva/Clinton'):

Support            Oppose

55%                     26.5%

Undecided

18.5% 

6.  Support for the Geneva Initiative by name:

Support            Oppose

34%                     37%

Undecided

29% 

(My guess is that the high number of undecideds results from the public, over time, not remembering the Geneva Initiative.)