JCPA poll shows Israelis do not think pigs can fly

Dr. Aaron Lerner..
IMRA Weekly Commentary..
20 December '12..

Typical polls of the Israeli public ask respondents if they would be willing to make concession "x" in exchange for peace.

The problem is, of course, that concession "x" isn't in exchange for "peace" but instead for a "piece of paper" with some signatures.

While policy advocates from various left wing groups may be convinced that a piece of paper is the same thing as peace, the onus is on them to prove that the Israeli public shares their optimism.

Hats off to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs for commissioning a detailed poll to explore just what kind of confidence the Israeli street has in the efficacy and durability of the underlying elements of the programs that the "land for piece of paper" school advocates.

The findings are stunningly clear.

Here are some excerpts of results for Israeli Jews polled by Dahaf the end of November 2012:

Would a withdrawal to the 1967 borders and the division of Jerusalem bring about anend of the conflict? Yes 15% No 83%


Which is preferable for ensuring security–defensible borders or peace?
Peace: 26% Defensible borders: 61% Both: 7% Impossible to ensure security: 3%

Preserving security after withdrawal from the Jordan Valley
One can rely on foreign forces: 16%
Security only in the hands of the IDF: 78%

Can one rely on foreign forces to prevent arms smuggling?
From Egypt to Gaza (relying on the Egyptian army)
One can rely on them 9%
One cannot rely on them 90%

From Jordan to the West Bank (relying on the Jordanian army)
One can rely on them 23%
One cannot rely on them 74%

Can one rely on the Palestinian Authority to prevent the smuggling of arms
and terrorists into the West Bank?
Yes: 14%
No: 73% .

Can one rely on the Palestinians ensuring freedom of worship for Jews?
Yes 19%
No 77%

Bottom line: When the average Israeli hears someone lecturing about how we should make "hard decisions" (= concessions) in order to implement a "two state solution" that will bring peace for Israel, that average Israeli isn't thinking to himself "gee – he's right!" – he is more likely to be thinking "right – if pigs could fly."

Link: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=59472

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