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Palestinians, Israelis at Odds Over Saudi Plan
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(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the Palestinian Territories and Israel hold differing views on the peace agreement proposed by Saudi Arabia, according to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research and the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 67 per cent of respondents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip support the plan, while 57 per cent of Israelis reject it.
Saudi Arabia has proposed the Arab Peace Initiative (API) to reconcile Israel and the Palestinians. The plan states that Israel will retreat from all territories occupied in 1967 including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and a Palestinian state would be established. The refugee issue—or the "right of return"—will be dealt with in accordance with United Nations (UN) Resolution 194. All Arab states would agree to recognize Israel and establish normal diplomatic relations.
Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas is currently heading the Palestinian Authority from the West Bank, endorsed by Israel and most of the Western international community. Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas became the de-facto leader in the Gaza Strip after his organization took over the territory in a violent confrontation with Fatah in June 2007.
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.
Earlier this month, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "We really believe that the continuation of the Israeli settlement activities undermines our efforts to achieve an agreement before the end of 2008, and undermines the efforts being exerted by many parties in order to move the peace process forward."
Polling Data
According to the Saudi plan, Israel will retreat from all territories occupied in 1967 including Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and a Palestinian state will be established. The refugee problem will be resolved through negotiation in a just and agreed upon manner and in accordance with UN Resolution 194, which allows return of refugees to Israel and compensation. In return, all Arab states will recognize Israel and its right to secure borders, will sign peace treaties with her and establish normal diplomatic relations. Do you support or oppose the Saudi plan?
|
|
Israelis |
Palestinians |
|
Support |
39% |
67% |
|
Oppose |
57% |
28% |
|
Not sure |
4% |
5% |
Source: Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research / Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,270 Palestinian adults in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, conducted from Jun. 5 to Jun. 7, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent. Telephone interviews with 1,006 adult Israelis, conducted from May 27 to Jun. 5, 2008. Margin of error is 4 per cent.