(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Support for the Israeli government reaching out to a new Palestinian administration is evenly divided, according to a poll by Dahaf Institute released by Yediot Ahronot. 39 per cent of respondents believe Israel should talk with the Palestinian unity government, while 40 per cent think they should not agree to talk to them at all.

In addition, 17 per cent would welcome contacts with Fatah members, but not with representatives of Hamas.

Fatah member Mahmoud Abbas won the January 2005 Palestinian Authority presidential ballot with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas—an organization listed as "terrorist" by several countries including the United States, Canada and Israel, and the European Union (EU)—won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. After negotiations geared at establishing a unity government with Hamas and Fatah failed in October 2006, tensions escalated between armed supporters of the two rival factions.

On Feb. 8 in Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which sets the guidelines for a power-sharing administration, headed by Hamas, which would "respect" past peace agreements with Israel. In all, Hamas would control eight cabinet positions, with Fatah taking five. Three key portfolios—finance, interior and foreign affairs—will be handled by independents.

On Mar. 17, the Palestinian unity government presented its program, which does not include an explicit recognition of Israel. Israeli deputy prime minister Shimon Peres expressed dissatisfaction, adding, "If this is a government that does not renounce terror, if this is a government that does not want to conduct peace talks, why should it be helped?"

Israel has refused to hold any kind of talks with a Palestinian government including members of Hamas. Yesterday, Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni announced the country will boycott any international diplomat who talks to Hamas ministers, adding, "Israel expects the international community not to recognize the Palestinian unity government as long as they don't accept the Quartet preconditions and certainly not to meet with Hamas ministers."

The four preconditions—disarming, recognizing Israel, rejecting terror and changing the organization's charter—were proposed by the European Union (EU), the United States, the United Nations (UN) and Russia to Hamas.

Polling Data

Should Israel agree to talk with the Palestinian unity government?

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