Weekly Commentary: The poll the headlines got wrong - 2 state solution dead
Dr. Aaron Lerner 24 August 2016

The headlines covering a poll of Palestinians and Israelis this week claimed
that there is still slightly more support for the "two-state solution" than
opposition.

But if you spend 60 seconds actually reading the poll results you will
understand that the Palestinian street is dead set against the two-state
solution.

Let's walk through some key results of the Joint Poll conducted by the
Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for
Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in Ramallah, in partnership with and
support from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and with funding from the
European Union (EU).

Let's focus on the results for Palestinians from the West Bank and eastern
Jerusalem interviewed between June 2 and 4, 2016.

When questioned regarding support for a two state solution, there was indeed
a 50.9%:47.6% majority for a two state solution.

But most - 58.3% - oppose dropping further claims against Israel or
considering the conflict over if a two-state solution is implemented.

The "two state solution" isn't a final solution. It’s clearly a step
towards something else.

Hint: They oppose a demilitarized state 81.6%:16.0% !!

As for Jerusalem, even if Israel doesn't have a square centimeter of the
Jewish Quarter or the Western Wall that's still not enough for the
Palestinians.

They oppose having western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel 70.3%:27.3%.
Repeat: western Jerusalem! That's the part of Jerusalem that Jordan never
occupied.

When all the major elements of what has commonly be considered the "deal"
are taken into account, Palestinians from the West Bank and eastern
Jerusalem oppose the deal 61.5%:37.3%.

The Palestinian street is dead set against the two-state solution.
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