According to a poll commissioned by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs headed by former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Dr. Dore Gold, most Israelis don’t believe a retreat to the pre-’67 lines will bring peace.

The poll conducted by Dr. Mina Tzemach who heads the Dahaf Agency shows 83% of respondents do not believe an Israeli withdrawal to the borders that existed prior to the June 1967 Six Day War will end the conflict between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The poll also shows overwhelming support for a “united Jerusalem” among the Zionist parties, which is the term generally used when referring to all the non-Arab parties.

69% of the general public and 78% of Jewish respondents indicated they would vote for another party if they learned their party intended to relinquish Israeli sovereignty over the eastern capital in a peace agreement with the PA. Perhaps more surprising was the response of the centrist/left, with 67% indicating they may have to reconsider their vote if their party signals a willingness to relinquish areas of the capital.

Another poll conducted by Dr. Tzemach and the Rafi Smith Institute for the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace signals 67% of the Israeli public would be willing to accept a peace treaty with the PA if it marked the end of the conflict and an end to demands upon Israel from the PA. This poll, published on Channel 2, respondents were asked to give their opinion regarding an agreement providing a long list of demands is included.

The PA would comply with the past-signed agreements, including security issues, and such an agreement would also carry the endorsement and backing of the United States. Such an agreement would also stipulate that Israel is the nation of the Jewish People and Palestine the nation of the Palestinians. Regarding the issue of a “Palestinian right of return,” refugees would only be permitted to return to Palestine, not Israel. The new State of Palestine would be based on the pre-1967 boundaries and this would entail land exchanges between Israel and the PA towards ensuring the security of Israel and to maintain settlement blocs in areas of Yehuda and Shomron.

In addition, the Jewish neighborhoods in Yerushalayim would remain under Israeli sovereignty, referring to those areas viewed currently as “Israeli occupied” from the 1967 war, including Ramat Eshkol, Talpiot, Gilo, N’vei Yaakov, Pisgat Ze’ev, Givat Ze’ev and many others.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)