[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: From the full report:
Question: Next, there have been widespread news reports that Israel's
military action in Gaza has infuriated average
citizens throughout the Arab world. With this as a backdrop, which is closer
to your own views:
16% Israel must be mindful of the views of average Arab citizens and pursue
policies that will win the "hearts
and minds" of the Arab world. Israel's long-term ability to live in peace
with its Arab neighbors will depend
importantly on the acceptance of Israel's right to exist among the Arab
population.
OR
79% Israel's first responsibility is to protect its citizens. For sixty
years, Israel has done everything possible to
reach peaceful accords with its Arab neighbors. It is the leadership of the
Arab world that has blocked
progress and it is their responsibility to persuade their citizens they
should live in peace with Israel.
24% The economic and political difficulties of the Palestinian people are
primarily the
fault of Israel and its leaders who have kept the Palestinian people under
their
military rule for more than thirty years.
OR
67% The economic and political difficulties of the Palestinian people are
primarily the
fault of a Palestinian leadership that has repeatedly failed to seize real
opportunities
for peace with Israel.
Netanyahu most popular Israeli serving today:
Netanyahu 65%:10%, Barak 55%:18% Livni 50%:11% Lieberman 31%:21%
Mahmoud Abbas serious about reachign lasting peace agrement Yes 52% No 40%
----------------
New ADL Poll: American Jews Support Direct Negotiations Between the Parties
as Path to Two-State Solution
www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/5504_62.htm
For complete results www.adl.org/Israel/poll_2009/poll_2009.pdf
Strong Support for Israel and the U.S. to Act Against Iran If Needed
Washington, DC, April 20, 2009 . The steadfast support of American Jews for
Israel, for Israel's action in Gaza and for Israel's right, if all else
fails, to use military force to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities, was
reaffirmed by a survey commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
The findings show that, overwhelmingly, American Jews believe that Israel is
committed to peace with the Palestinians and reject the notion that America
should pressure Israel to make peace.
The national telephone survey of 1,200 American Jews was conducted by
Marttila Communications between March 31 and April 8 and has a margin of
error of +/-2.8% for questions answered by the 1,200. The survey also used
the technique of "split sampling" a process in which questions were asked of
two demographically representative national samples of 600 each, with a
margin of error of +/-4%.
Survey Highlights
. By a margin of 73%-2%, American Jews believe that Israel is doing more to
bring peace to the region than the Palestinians.
. 74% believe that Hamas is not interested in peace, while 52% believe
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is.
. 61% of American Jews support the future creation of a Palestinian state in
the West Bank and Gaza.
. Asked about the US role in the peace process, a small plurality (47%)
believe the parties need to solve their own problems with the US playing the
role of facilitator; versus 44% who believe peace depends on continuing US
leadership and involvement.
. There is eroding support for Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza; as late
as January 2009, 63% of American Jews still supported it. Now, it's down to
54%.
. Sympathy with Israel vis-à-vis the Palestinians is overwhelming - 80% for
Israel, versus 6% for the Palestinians.
. 74% approve of Israel's military action in Gaza, and by a margin of
66%-28%, American Jews supported the notion that Israel's military response
in Gaza was appropriate and not excessive.
. 73% support Israel's right to close the borders to Gaza to prevent
resupply of arms even if it slows down humanitarian relief.
. Regarding Iran, a significant majority (58%-27%) believe that if
diplomatic and economic steps fail to get Iran to halt its uranium
enrichment program, they would support Israel's right to destroy the Iranian
nuclear facilities. And, under similar circumstances, American Jews would
similarly support US military action by 55%-27%.
. 50% of American Jews support US direct negotiations with Iran without
preconditions, while 45% believe the US should not enter into negotiations
until Iran agrees to suspend its uranium enrichment.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said the survey demonstrates that,
"contrary to certain reports that American Jewish support for Israel is
waning and that American Jews would welcome pressure by the U.S. on Israel,
American Jews continue to support Israel overwhelmingly and advocate direct
negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as the best path for
peace."
Mr. Foxman said the findings show that, "American Jews continue to believe
that Israel wants peace with its neighbors, and continue to understand the
threats to Israel and its legitimate right to defend itself, whether against
Hamas rockets or Iran nuclear capabilities. That support for Israel will be
very significant as the Jewish state faces immense challenges in the months
and years ahead."
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading
organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that
counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
| 
