New Wave: 27% Support Geneva Understanding, 57% Oppose opposition contact
with PA

Aaron Lerner Date: 17 October 2003

The following are the results of a poll of a representative sample of 559
adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) carried out by New Wave for Maariv
the week of 17 October for Maariv. Statistical error +/- 4.5 percentage
points.

Do you support the Geneva Understanding, that is to say the agreement on the
final arrangement reached this week between Israeli politicians and senior
personalities in the Palestinian Authority? [IMRA: The very same newspaper
reported today that it turns out that very important parts of the
"agreement" including scores of appendices, have not yet been written. The
information available now is only the information that those marketing the
"agreement" have selectively provided.]

Yes 27% No 53% Don't know 20%

Without any connection to the Geneva Understanding, assuming that the
government was to sign an agreement with the Palestinians that put an end to
the conflict and all claims from both sides. Within the framework of this
agreement the Palestinians would have an independent state, recognize Israel
as a Jewish state and forego the right of return. On the other hand, Israel
would almost completely withdraw from the areas conquered in 1967 while the
Etzion Bloc and the Jewish communities around Jerusalem would remain in
Israeli hands while Ariel would be transferred to the Palestinians. In
addition, Jerusalem would be divided so that the Jewish places would be
under Israeli control and the Arab place under Palestinian control. The
Temple Mount would be transferred to Palestinian control and the Western
Wall and the Jewish Quarter in the Old City would remain under Jewish
control. At the end of the agreement Israel would release all security
detainees including those who were involved in attacks against Israelis.
Assuming such an agreement was presented in a national referendum, would you
support it?

[IMRA: Ma'ariv leaves out such features of the "Geneva Understanding" as
Israel ultimately having no security presence in the Jordan Valley or the
right to of the IAF to fly over the West Bank as part of Israel's security.
Ma'ariv also leaves out that the PA state would apparently be allowed to
enter into security pacts with other countries under the terms of the
"Geneva Understanding". In addition, the "Geneva Understanding" provides for
the possibility that Israel face huge unbearable monetary compensation
claims of magnitudes that will only be set after Israel withdraws and a
sovereign Palestinian state is formed - thus providing the Palestinians with
the grounds to renew the conflict when Israel declines to pay.]
Yes 34% No 58% Don't know 8%

In a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians would you
support the following?

Release of all security prisoners?
Yes 22% No 74% Don't know 4%

Israeli withdrawal from almost all the territories conquered in 1967 where
the Etzion Bloc and the Jewish communities around Jerusalem remain in Israel
while the city of Ariel is transferred to the Palestinians
Yes 40% No 52% Don't know 8%

Jewish places in Jerusalem will be under Jewish control and Arab places
under Palestinian control [IMRA: No mention of Temple Mount]
Yes 49% No 45% Don't know 6%

There are those who maintain that politicians who are not members of the
government are prohibited from carrying on contacts with the Palestinian
Authority. Others claim that it is the right of the opposition to have
contacts with the Palestinian Authority in order to try and present an
alternative. What do you think? [IMRA: The "Geneva Undertanding and its
marketing around the world is far more than mere "contacts"]
Permitted 36% Prohibited 57% Don't know 7%

Are you pleased with the performance of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in
general?
Satisfied 40% Dissatisfied 54 Don't know 6%

There are two view of Yossi Beilin:
[IMRA an obvious third possibility is left out, "a reckless politician who
acts according to his ideology"]

A bold politician who acts according to his principles?
Yes 36% No 49% Don't know 15%

A radical leftist who colludes with the Palestinians against Israel
Yes 40% No 42% Don't know 18%

Do you support the prisoner exchange deal that is planned under which Sheik
Obeid and Dirani will be released along with several hundred Palestinian
prisoners in return for Elchanan Tannenbaum and the bodies of the three
kidnapped soldiers?
Yes 41% No 44% Don't know 15%

There are those who claim that Israel should only carry out the prisoner
deal if information on the fate of POW Ron Arad is received. Do you agree?
Yes 57% No 32% Don't know 11%

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
pager 03-6106666 subscriber 4811
Website: http://www.imra.org.il