June 12, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Israel are suspicious of recent attempts made by the Syrian government to hold a dialogue with their country, according to a poll by Teleseker published in Maariv. 74 per cent of respondents do not believe Syrian president Bashar Assad wants to make peace with Israel.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Israel are suspicious of recent attempts made by the Syrian government to hold a dialogue with their country, according to a poll by Teleseker published in Maariv. 74 per cent of respondents do not believe Syrian president Bashar Assad wants to make peace with Israel.

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 by Israel during the 1967 war, and annexed to its territory in 1981. 44 per cent of respondents oppose any type of withdrawal from the area in exchange for full peace with Syria, while 40 per cent would agree to a partial concession of land.

On Jun. 6, Olmert referred to rumours about a possible confrontation with Syria, saying, "Israel does not want war with Syria and we need to be careful to avoid a scenario of miscalculations that could cause the security situation to worsen." 37 per cent of respondents think there is a chance the two countries engage in a war in the coming year, while 47 per cent disagree.

On Jun. 8, Israeli transport minister Shaul Mofaz discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "In light of the tensions in the current period, and considering the fact that in the past the Syrians sent messages that they want peace, I thought, and I still think today, that a secret channel is one of the channels for checking intentions and expectations. Such an approach, in a secret channel, was done. This was said clearly by the prime minister's office. At this stage, there is no Syrian response, or any comment on this issue."

Polling Data

The Syrian president has in recent months been calling for the resumption of negotiations with Israel. Do you believe Al-Asad's declarations that he wants peace?

Yes	17%
No	74%

What's your position regarding a withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for full peace with Syria?

Oppose any withdrawal whatsoever	44%
Support only a partial withdrawal	40%
Support a full withdrawal	10%

Do you believe war will break out in the coming year between Israel and Syria?

Yes	37%
No	47%

Source: Teleseker / Maariv
Methodology: Interviews with 500 Israeli adults, conducted on Jun. 5 and Jun. 6, 2007. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.