Weekly Commentary: Pew Poll: our neighbors do not like our enemies

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 12 July 2012

The Pew Global Attitudes Project 2012 Spring Survey just released provides
important insight as to what the people in our region really think about
Israel’s leading enemies.

Here are the percentages who replied that they held an unfavorable versus
favorable opinion of Iran:
Turkey 55%:26%
Egypt 76%:22%
Jordan 79%:18%
Lebanon 61%:39%

Here are the percentages who replied that they held an unfavorable versus
favorable opinion of Hamas
Turkey 79%:10%
Egypt 56%:39%
Jordan 53%:44%
Lebanon 67%:30%

Here are the percentages who replied that they held an unfavorable versus
favorable opinion of
Hezbollah
Turkey 85%:6%
Egypt 75%:20%
Jordan 70%:29%
Lebanon 60%:40%

Here are the percentages who replied that they held an unfavorable versus
favorable opinion of al Qaeda
Turkey 85%:6%
Egypt 73%:19%
Jordan 77%:14%
Lebanon 98%:2%

Here are the percentages who replied that they held an unfavorable versus
favorable opinion of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Turkey 48%:35%
Egypt 73%:23%
Jordan 83%:13%
Lebanon 55%:42%

No, I am not saying it is time to break out the champagne.

Just that we have to understand that we live in a world where there is a lot
more going on in it that just the Arab-Israeli conflict.

And it is doubly crucial that we appreciate that there are many things that
can motivate the relations of other actors in the region with Israel’s
leading enemies that have nothing to do with the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Recently some Israelis have suggested that the Jewish State essentially
bribe the world to address the Iranian nuclear threat by agreeing to retreat
to indefensible borders, divide Jerusalem and cut a deal involving the
return of the “refugees”.

Now it’s true that many of those advocating the move have been promoting
this move for years and the Iran story may be no more than their latest
justification. Once they said it would bring peace, then they argued it
would save Israel from demographic destruction, now its Iran and no doubt
they will come up with another reason if somehow the Iran problem is
resolved.

But there are others who were not always retreat promoters but consider it
necessary to make a big sacrifice to the “withdrawal Moloch” if we want the
world on our side regarding Iran.

And these policy advocates – and more importantly – the policy makers – have
to understand that when it comes to the decisions that the world will make
about Iran, what Israel does or does not do vis-à-vis the Arab Israeli
conflict will not have a crucial impact on the stands of the decision
makers.

Again. Suicidal concessions by Israel won’t determine how the world deals
with Iran.

The interests of the world will determine how the world deals with Iran.

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