March 07, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Israel see no progress in talks between their country and the Palestinians, according to a poll by Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 69 per cent of respondents agree with this view.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Israel see no progress in talks between their country and the Palestinians, according to a poll by Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 69 per cent of respondents agree with this view.

In addition, 75 per cent of respondents think it will be impossible to reach a peace agreement with concessions on Jerusalem.

Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas won the January 2005 presidential ballot in the Palestinian Territories with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh officially took over as prime minister in March. 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.

In February 2007, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which set the guidelines for a power-sharing Palestinian administration, headed by Hamas, which would "respect" past peace agreements with Israel. In June, amid a wave of violent clashes between Palestinian supporters of the Hamas and Fatah factions, Hamas militants seized control of Gaza. Abbas issued a decree to form a 12-member emergency government—based in the West Bank—and expelled Hamas from the administration. Fatah member Salam Fayyad was appointed as prime minister by Abbas.

The Islamic Jihad organization has been launching Qassam rockets into Israel from Gaza almost daily since Hamas took control of the territory. Israel holds Hamas responsible for the attacks for allowing the Islamic Jihad and other groups to act against Israel. In January, Israel completely sealed off its borders with the Gaza Strip.

In November 2007, Abbas and leaders from the United States, Israel and several Arab countries attended an international conference on Middle East affairs in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting was brokered by United States president George W. Bush. On Nov. 27, Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert announced they would work towards having a peace treaty signed by the end of 2008, which would include the creation of a Palestinian state.

On Mar. 3, Hamas government spokesman Taher a-Nunu confirmed that Hamas leaders have reached out to several Arab states for help in brokering a ceasefire with Israel, saying, "Hamas wants to end the genocide and holocaust in the Gaza Strip. (…) We have urged a number of Arab and Muslim leaders to exert pressure on the Americans and Europeans to save the Palestinians."

Polling Data

Are the talks between Israel and the Palestinians making progress?

Yes	29%
No	69%

Is it possible to reach a peace agreement with concessions on Jerusalem?

Yes	22%
No	75%

Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 500 Israeli adults, conducted on Feb. 28, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.