Friday Poll in Israel shows Majority/Solid Support for Settlement Evacuation

TPM Cafe

By Jo-Ann Mort

June 5, 2009

Every Friday, the Israeli papers publish a national poll catching a snapshot of the public's mood. This week's poll is unequivocal in showing major public support for an end to the settlement foolery. This gives Bibi Netanyahu the political cover he needs, if he wants to transform, but as the Friday commentators also point out in the Israeli papers, whether his own personality and personal history trap him in the paradigm of the past is the question of the moment....as one top Israeli commentator says, if he doesn't respond to Obama's program, the current government is on a collision course that puts it on a trajectory for toppling and soon....the right politician in Israel (with help from Israel's friends) can capture the current mood and make progress --Here is the poll:

Yes, We Can Surrender
Yedioth Ahronoth (p. 4) by Sima Kadmon / Dahaf Polling Institute --
Q: Should Netanyahu acquiesce to Obama's demands or reject these even at the
cost of sanctions?
Acquiesce -- 56%
Not acquiesce -- 40%

Q: Should Israel agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state as part
of a peace deal?
Agree -- 55%
Not agree -- 41%

Q: Is Obama's policy good for Israel?
Not good -- 53%
Good -- 26%

Q: How would you rate Netanyahu's performance since being elected prime
minister?
Good -- 47%
Not good -- 45%

Q: Are you satisfied with Netanyahu's conduct in addressing the crisis with
the United States?
Satisfied -- 34%
Not satisfied -- 47%

Q: Will Netanyahu eventually agree to the establishment of a Palestinian
state?
Will agree -- 44%
Will not agree -- 50%

Q: Of whom Obama is being more considerate: Israel's security needs or the
Palestinians desire to establish a state?
The Palestinian's desires --51%
Israel's needs -- 22%

Q: Who is responsible for the crisis with the United States?
Obama -- 28%
Netanyahu -- 16%
Both parties -- 50%

Q: Are you disappointed by Obama's policy towards Israel?
Disappointed -- 51%
Not disappointed -- 41%

Q: Should Israel freeze settlement construction?
Yes -- 52%
No -- 43%

Q: Should the illegal outposts be evacuated?
Yes -- 70%
No -- 25%

Q: Should the birthrate in the settlements be taken under consideration and
therefore allow construction for the sake of natural growth?
Yes -- 54%
No -- 42%

Q: If the government decides to halt construction in the settlements, should
Yisrael Beiteinu leave the government?
Among the general public:
Yes -- 36%
No -- 41%
Among Yisrael Beiteinu voters:
Yes -- 23%
No -- 60%

Q: If it is decided to freeze all construction in the settlements, should
Kadima join the government?
Among the general public:
Yes -- 41%
No -- 43%
Among Kadima voters:
Yes -- 52%
No -- 41%

Q: If it is decided to evacuate the settlements, will you join those
resisting this?
Yes -- 12%
No -- 85%
The poll questioned 501 people. The margin of error is 4.4%. In
questions where figures do not amount to 100%, the missing percentages refer
to those who chose not to reply.

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