The Geneva Initiative HQ in Israel has just released a new poll of Israeli public attitudes regarding Palestinian issues, the peace process, and latest developments. The poll was conducted by a well-respected Israeli research group — Gal Hachadash (“New Wave Research”). The survey was conducted among a representative sample of 600 Israelis with a +/-4% margin of error. The results show an Israeli public that is willing to be supportive of a peace process towards a realistic two-state solution, but that has lost belief in that process and that takes a more pragmatic attitude towards Hamas than its government. Here are the key findings:
1. Do you support or oppose Israel talking to Hamas at the present time regarding a ceasefire, preventing a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, resolving the issue of crossings, creating basic economic conditions, and securing the release of Gilad Shalit?
Support Oppose
57% 36%
2. What should the government of Israel do?
Negotiate with President Abbas Negotiate with Syria.
15% 7%
Negotiate with both President Abbas and Syria.
49%
None of the above.
23%
3. Do you support or oppose Israel negotiating permanent status issues with President Abbas at the present time?
Support Oppose
66% 26.5%
4. Belief that a permanent status agreement can be reached with Abbas:
Believe Don’t Believe
40% 53%
5. Support for a permanent status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians based on the substance of the Geneva Initiative and Clinton Parameters (respondents were read the content and not the name ‘Geneva/Clinton’):
Support Oppose
55% 26.5%
Undecided
18.5%
6. Support for the Geneva Initiative by name:
Support Oppose
34% 37%
Undecided
29%
(My guess is that the high number of undecideds results from the public, over time, not remembering the Geneva Initiative.)