Maagar Mochot Poll finds Israeli Jews Wary of Efficacy of Security
Arrangements, Pessimistic of PA and of Quick Peace Deals

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 4 November 2009

A poll carried out 28 October - 1 November through Tuesday by Maagar Mohot
Survey Institute (headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz) finds Israeli Jews
believe (50%:29%) that Israel today does not have a Palestinian partner for
negotiations in light of Palestinian efforts to condemn Israel in the wake
of the Goldstone Report. Respondents also believe (48%:24%) that Israel
should not rely on international forces in security arrangements in a
Palestinian-Israeli peace plan, nor do they think that it is beneficial
(38%:29%) for Egyptian and Jordanian forces to deploy respectively in the
Gaza Strip and West Bank.

The poll found that Israeli Jews (80%:10%) consider the view that withdrawal
to the '67 lines would bring Israel peace for generations to be simplistic
and naïve. Respondents agreed (38%:29%) that it will be impossible to reach
a permanent peace with the Arabs before they conclude that Israel is not a
passing phenomenon - something that will take a great amount of time.

Respondents also consider (45%:23%)that implementation of President Shimon
Peres' proposal that the Palestinians form a sovereign Palestinian state
without having to first reach an agreement with Israel on final status
issues would promote instability and increase the ability of the
Palestinians to threaten Israel's security.

The telephone poll of a representative sample of 510 adult Israeli Jews, was
commissioned by Independent Media Review & Analysis (IMRA) and has a survey
error of +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Detailed results follow:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "In light of the
efforts taken by the Palestinians to condemn Israel in the wake of the
Goldstone Report, Israel has no partner today for final status
negotiations."
Completely disagree 19% Disagree 10%
So-so 14%
Agree 9% Greatly agree 41%
Don't know, other replies 7%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "In light of the
efforts taken by the Palestinians to condemn Israel in the wake of the
Goldstone Report, Israel, Israel should not engage in final status
negotiations with the PA."
Completely disagree 29% Disagree 10%
So-so 17%
Agree 9% Greatly agree 28%
Don't know, other replies 7%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "The key lesson to
Israel of the gross failure of the international forces in southern Lebanon
to prevent Hezbollah from illegally deploying missiles in the area - and
their gross failure to do anything significant to clear out these weapons -
is that it would be a mistake for Israel to accept a Palestinian-Israeli
peace plan that relies on international forces for security arrangements."
Completely disagree 13% Disagree 11%
So-so 13%
Agree 9% Greatly agree 39%
Don't know, other replies 15%

Some claim that if Israel were to withdraw to the '67 lines - including
leave the Golan - it would enjoy peace for generations since the Arabs would
no longer have any claims against Israel. Do you think that this is a naive
or simplistic view or a reasonable and correct assessment?
Naive and simplistic 80%
Reasonable and correct 10%
Don't know, other replies 10%

Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "It will takea great amount
of time for the Arabs to recognize that we are a permanent presence in the
Middle East and not a passing phenomenon . Until then, it is impossible to
reach a permanent peace with the Arabs."
Completely disagree 14% Disagree 15%
So-so 15%
Agree 14% Greatly agree 24%
Don't know, other replies 18%

Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "the security risks Israel
would face if Egyptian and Jordanian security forces were deployed in the
Gaza Strip and West Bank are greater than any possible benefit from such an
arrangement"
Completely disagree 14% Disagree 15%
So-so 15%
Agree 14% Greatly agree 24%
Don't know, other replies 18%

(The following question was only asked on Sunday 1 November - sample size
53)
President Shimon Peres proposes that the Palestinians form a sovereign
Palestinian state without having to first reach an agreement with Israel on
final status issues.

Which of these two views do you most agree with?

A. Creating a sovereign Palestinian state before an agreement is reached
with Israel will promote peace and stability.

B. Creating a sovereign Palestinian state when there are still open disputes
with Israel will promote instability and increase the ability of the
Palestinians to threaten Israel's security.

Promote peace and stability 23%
Promote instability and threaten security 45%
Don't know, other replies 32%

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
Website: http://www.imra.org.il