[To the Israel Peace Watch Index]

May 9, 2002

New Peace Coalition Poll Finds Solid Israeli Majority Backs Exit From Occupied Territories

Washington, D.C.–Americans for Peace Now (APN) today released the results of a new Israeli public opinion poll that shows well over half of the Israeli public believes evacuating most the settlements from the occupied territories will help put the Israeli-Palestinian peace process back on track. The telephone poll was conducted by the Dahaf Institute on behalf of the Israeli Peace Coalition, an umbrella organization consisting of the Israeli Peace Now movement, Labor Party doves, the Meretz Party, the Democratic Choice Party, the kibbutz movement, and the Bereaved Families Forum. Dahaf surveyed 504 Israeli adults, and the results of its poll had a margin of error of 4.5%. APN’s mission is to enhance Israel’s security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

"The poll’s results prove that a large majority of the Israeli public supports the positions of the peace camp. In practice, these positions today unite the Israeli Left, Center, and even parts of the Right," said Moria Shlomot, secretary general of Peace Now.

The Dahaf/Peace Coalition poll found that 59% of Israelis believe that a withdrawal that includes evacuating most of the settlements from the occupied territories will lead to a renewal of the peace process, while 72% felt it would also improve Israel’s international standing.

Further, the survey found that 67% of Israelis believe that a withdrawal from the occupied territories and the deployment of the IDF along the Green Line will generate hope, or great hope, among the Israeli public. In contrast, only 42% of respondents said that the continuous presence of the Israeli army in Palestinian cities gave them hope for the future.

The study found that 63% of respondents do not believe that the problem of terror can be resolved without diplomatic negotiations. In addition, 59% said they either think or are certain that they would support a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians with American sponsorship that includes a withdrawal to the 1967 borders, a compromise in Jerusalem, and the Palestinians conceding the right of return (i.e., an amended Saudi initiative). The poll also found that 56% support a U.S.-led international force for the Palestinian territories.

The Dahaf/Peace Coalition poll was released as a run-up to a major peace demonstration that the Peace Coalition is organizing for this coming Saturday at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.

[To the Israel Peace Watch Index]