About Us

IMRA
IMRA
IMRA

 

Subscribe

Search


...................................................................................................................................................


Sunday, November 8, 2009
Poll indicates opposition to Mofaz Plan

Poll indicates opposition to Mofaz Plan
Dr. Aaron Lerner 8 November 2009

A poll carried out 28 October - 1 November through Tuesday by Maagar Mohot
Survey Institute (headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz) for IMRA finds Israeli
Jews do not support the ideas proposed today by Kadima MK Shaul Mofaz [see
below for description of Mofaz Plan]..

The telephone poll of a representative sample of 510 adult Israeli Jews has
a survey error of +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Results relating to ideas associated with the Mofaz Plan follow:

"Mofaz stressed that, if need be, international forces could assist the
Palestinians in their new state."

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%

(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%

=============

Hamas says Mofaz peace plan 'important step'
Kadima MK and former IDF chief presents plan for establishment of
Palestinian state, says Israel should consider negotiating with Hamas if it
changes its ways. Senior Hamas figure al-Masri: This is a very important
step, but we are interested in its translation from talk into action
Attila Somfalvi, Ali Waked YNET Published: 11.08.09, 13:19 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3801873,00.html

Knesset Member Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) on Sunday presented his plan for the
establishment of a Palestinian state in temporary borders, saying such a
plan is needed "because the relative calm is dangerous, and at its end hides
a violent and bloody conflict."

Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Mofaz said, "If (Prime Minister Benjamin)
Netanyahu won't implement this plan, I will do so when I become prime
minister."

The MK, a former IDF chief of staff, also said Israel should consider
negotiating with Hamas.

"How can it be that six months have passed since Netanyahu's Bar-Ilan
address and there is still no plan in place?" Mofaz told the press
conference. "If Hamas is elected and chooses to negotiate - Israel must
conduct dialogue with any group that changes its behavior.

"Meanwhile, Hamas continues to prepare for the next round (of fighting).
They must realize that if they plan to continue firing on Israeli
communities, their fate will be sealed," he said.

The main point of Mofaz's plan is the establishment of a Palestinian state
in temporary borders on 50% - 60% of the Palestinian territory in the West
Bank, mainly in Area A and Area B, which are under Palestinian control. The
next stage, according to the plan, will be negotiations on the core issues,
including the future of Jerusalem, the Palestinian refugees and the
permanent borders. Mofaz is opposed to dividing the capital.

Mofaz is willing to commit to the world, and even give guarantees, that the
final Palestinian state will not be formed on less than 92% of the
territory.

The MK wants to annex major settlement blocs to Israel, and is willing to
make territorial exchanges with the Palestinians. He stressed that, if need
be, international forces could assist the Palestinians in their new state.

He said there would be no choice but to clear out isolated settlements. Some
65,000 Israelis currently live outside the major settlement blocs.

Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri told Ynet in response to Mofaz's plan,
"This is a very important step, but we are interested in its translation
from talk into action."

"Obviously, such comments carry a lot of weight when they come from someone
of Mofaz's stature - a man who went to war against Hamas and the resistance
and is familiar with the issue's political and security-related aspects,"
said al-Masri.

The senior Hamas figure said he would not dismiss any offer "if it is based
on the recognition of the basic rights of the Palestinian people and its
right to be rid of occupation.

"The Israelis realize that we (Hamas) are a key player in the political
arena. It would be a mistake to ignore Hamas and deal solely with
(Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas," he said.

Search For An Article

....................................................................................................

Contact Us

POB 982 Kfar Sava
Tel 972-9-7604719
Fax 972-3-7255730
email:imra@netvision.net.il IMRA is now also on Twitter
http://twitter.com/IMRA_UPDATES

image004.jpg (8687 bytes)