Maagar Mochot Poll finds strong support (82%:11%) for Israeli negotiators
insisting on the right of Jews to pray in places also considered holy to
Islam
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 3 July 2009
A poll carried out this Monday and Tuesday Maagar Mohot Survey Institute
(headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz) finds strong support (82%:11%) for
Israeli negotiators insisting on the right of Jews to pray in Jewish holy
places also considered holy to Islam such the Cave of the Patriarchs and
Rachel's Tomb as well as the right of Jews to reside in areas under
Palestinian control (58%:31%). Most consider it to show a lack of self
respect for Israeli leaders to be willing to negotiate with Palestinians who
reject these demands a priori (64%:29% for right to pray and 61%:31% for
right to reside in areas under Palestinian control).
The telephone poll of a representative sample of 506 adult Israeli Jews, was
commissioned by Independent Media Review & Analysis (IMRA) and has a survey
error of +/- 4.5 percentage points.
Support for Israel insisting in negotiations with the Palestinians that Jews
be permitted to pray in places holy to Judaism in areas under Palestinian
control is universal - with 79% of Labor Party voters and 81% of secular
Jews supporting the demand.
The survey found greater support for insisting on the right of Jews to
reside in areas under Palestinian control among Labor Party voters (60%:27%)
than Kadima Party voters (43%:44%).
The poll also found support (51%:43%) for negotiations with the Palestinians
without prior conditions.
According to the survey, 53% of Israelis see the need to reach an agreement
as the principle reason for engaging in negotiations with the Palestinians
while 11% consider negotiations as mostly to please the U.S. and 16% believe
talks serve to reduce tension even if they go nowhere.
Detailed results follow:
Palestinian leaders declare that when they receive responsibility for
territories in Judea and Samaria that they will not permit Jews to pray in
places that are holy to Judaism that are also considered holy to Islam, such
as the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb. There are those who
maintain that Israeli leaders who are prepared to engage in negotiations
with Palestinians under these circumstances lack self respect. Do you
agree?
Yes 64% No 29% Other replies 7%
Palestinian leaders declare that when they receive responsibility for
territories in Judea and Samaria that they will not permit Jews reside in
those territories, while from their standpoint Arabs have the right to live
within the territories of the State of Israel There are those who maintain
that Israeli leaders who are prepared to engage in negotiations with
Palestinians under these circumstances lack self respect. Do you agree?
Yes 61% No 31% Other replies 8%
Should the State of Israel insist in negotiations with the Palestinians on
the principle that Jews be permitted to pray in places that are holy to
Judaism that are also considered holy to Islam in territories that are under
Palestinian authority?
Yes 82% No 11% Other replies 7%
Should the State of Israel insist in negotiations with the Palestinians on
the principle that Jews be permitted to live in territories in Judea and
Samaria that are under Palestinian authority?
Yes 58% No 31% Other replies 11%
Should Israel engage in negotiations with the Palestinians without any
pre-conditions as far as it is concerned?
Yes 51% No 43% Other replies 6%
What is the main reason the State of Israel should negotiate with the
Palestinians?
16% Because the chances of conflict are reduced if negotiations are underway
even if there is no solution.
11% Because of the need to please the United States even if there is no
solution.
53% Because of the need to reach an agreement with the Palestinians
14% No need to negotiate with the Palestinians
6% 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
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