(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Israel are skeptical about the outcome of their prime minister's dialogue with the president of the Palestinian Authority, according to a poll by Shvakim Panorama released by Israel Radio. 63 per cent of respondents do not think Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas will be able to reach an agreement of principles for a permanent accord.

On Jun. 14, amid a wave of violent clashes between Palestinian supporters of the Hamas and Fatah factions, Hamas militants seized control of Gaza, one of the two Palestinian Territories. Palestinian Authority president and Fatah member Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to form a 12-member emergency government—based in the West Bank—and expelled Hamas from the administration. The Israeli government believes Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of 377 citizens in a variety of attacks, which include dozens of suicide bombings.

On Jun. 25, Olmert ratified his support for a Hamas-free Palestinian government and announced that 250 Palestinian prisoners belonging to Fatah "who do not have blood on their hands" would be set free as a gesture of goodwill to Abbas. On Jul. 20, Israel released 256 Palestinian prisoners. Other Western nations also sided with Olmert's decision to support Abbas in order to weaken Hamas.

Both Olmert and Abbas are due to attend a conference in November to discuss the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations with members of The Quartet. The group—which includes the United States, the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and Russia—chose former British prime minister Tony Blair as its peace envoy.

On Aug. 22, Israeli president Shimon Peres said Olmert and Abbas are holding "serious discussions" and are working to put together an agreement of principles before the conference. The meeting will try to establish guidelines for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Polling Data

Do you think that Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas are capable of reaching an agreement of principles for a permanent accord?

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