June 11, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel oppose granting territorial concessions as a way to secure peace in the region, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Makor Rishon. 53 per cent of respondents reject giving territory to the Palestinians within the framework of a peace agreement.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel oppose granting territorial concessions as a way to secure peace in the region, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Makor Rishon. 53 per cent of respondents reject giving territory to the Palestinians within the framework of a peace agreement.

In August 2005, the Israeli government, headed at the time by Ariel Sharon, evacuated close to 8,000 Israeli settlers who lived in 21 Gaza Strip and four northern West Bank settlements under the terms of the "Disengagement Plan." Israel removed all military personnel from the Gaza Strip, but intends to maintain a security presence in the West Bank.

Throughout May and June, Hamas militants have launched hundreds of Qassam rockets from Gaza into Israel. The Israeli government has retaliated with air strikes targeting suspected compounds and businesses that allegedly transfer money to Hamas.

In August 2006, Israeli internal security minister Avi Dichter presented a proposal to negotiate for peace with Syria in return for the Golan Heights. Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert dismissed the idea, saying, "So long as I am prime minister, the Golan Heights will remain in our hands, as it is an inseparable part of the State of Israel."

The area of the Golan Heights—approximately 1,860 square kilometres of land—was seized from Syria by Israel during the 1967 war, and annexed to its territory in 1981. 68 per cent of respondents oppose giving the Golan Heights in return for peace with Syria.

Earlier this month, Israeli head of military intelligence Amos Yadlin said Syria might engage in military conflict with Israel, and claimed the neighbouring country was "making very real preparations, cleaning army posts, conducting large drills and strengthening defences. (...) They are reaching a state of readiness for war more than in the past, but this doesn't mean they'll be ready for war tomorrow."

Polling Data

Do you support giving territory to the Palestinians within the framework of a peace agreement?

Yes	46%
No	53%

Do you support giving the Golan Heights in return for peace with Syria?

Yes	31%
No	68%

Source: Dahaf Institute / Makor Rishon
Methodology: Interviews with 500 Israeli adults, conducted in late May 2007. No margin of error was provided.