Poll on Freeze: Netanyahu gave into pressure, will bring more pressure, move
should get Knesset approval

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 4 December 2009

For immediate release

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided to impose a ten month freeze on
housing construction in Judea and Samaria because he can't withstand
American pressure (72%:17%) in order to placate President Obama rather than
advance the peace process (68%:20%) and the move will lead to pressure for
additional concessions rather than reduce pressure (56%:22%) according to a
poll of adult Israeli Jews carried out this Tuesday and Wednesday by Maagar
Mohot Survey Institute (headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz).

The poll finds that Netanyahu's move is seen as a violation of his election
promises (51%:23) and an abandonment of his principle of reciprocity
(52%:27%).

The overwhelming majority (65%:26%) believe that the freeze should be
brought to the Knesset for approval and (79%:14%) that Israel should
increase its activity against illegal Palestinian construction during the
ten month Israeli construction freeze.

As to Prime Minister Netanyahu's promise that construction will be renewed
in ten months, respondents believe (40%:33%) that the freeze will continue
indefinitely.

The telephone poll of a representative sample of 512 adult Israeli Jews, was
commissioned by Independent Media Review & Analysis (IMRA) and has a survey
error of +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Detailed results follow:

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided to impose a ten month freeze on
Israeli housing construction in Judea and Samaria. In your opinion, did his
decision stem from his inability to withstand American pressure or for
another reason?
72% Can't withstand American pressure
17% Other reasons
11% Don't know and other replies

Will Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to impose the freeze increase or reduce
pressure on Israel to make additional concessions?
22% Reduce
56% Increase
17% No effect on the pressure
5% Don't know and other replies

Why do you think Binyamin Netanyahu decided to impose the construction
freeze?
20% He genuinely thinks it will promote the peace process with the
Palestinians
68% To placate President Obama
12% Don't know and other replies

Did Binyamin Netanyahu break his election campaign promises by deciding on
the construction freeze?
51% Yes
23% No
26% Don't know and other replies

Did Binyamin Netanyahu forsake with the construction freeze his guiding
principle of insisting on Palestinian reciprocity ("if they give they get,
they don't give they don't get")?
52% Yes
27% No
21% Don't know and other replies

Do you think that the freeze will actually last only ten months or if
Netanyahu will continue the freeze indefinitely?
33% Just ten months
40% Continue indefinitely
27% Don't know and other replies

Should the decision on the construction freeze be brought to the Knesset for
approval?
65% Yes
26% No
9% Don't know and other replies

Should Israel increase its enforcement activity against illegal Palestinian
construction during the ten month Israeli construction freeze?
79% Yes
14% No
7% Don't know and other replies

The ten month building freeze in Judea and Samaria applies to housing
construction and not public buildings. Should the Government of Israel step
up construction of public buildings in Judea and Samaria?
39% Step up
24% Slow down
32% Remain the same
5% Don't know and other replies

The current building freeze does not apply to Jerusalem. Should the
Government of Israel step up construction programs in Jerusalem?
52% Step up
11% Slow down
32% Remain the same
5% Don't know and other replies

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