Poll: Narrow Majority of Israelis Oppose Clinton Peace Proposals

Published December 27th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

A narrow majority of Israelis are opposed to the compromise outlined by US President Bill Clinton to end the 52-year conflict between the Jewish state and the Palestinians, according to an opinion poll published Wednesday. 

The poll, in the Jerusalem Post, showed that 52 percent of those surveyed oppose the plan, while 38 percent are in favor and 10 percent expressed no opinion. 

The Smith Research Center poll, which surveyed 501 people, has a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points. 

On whether the Palestinians would accept the deal, 51 percent said yes, 29 percent said no and 20 percent expressed no opinion. 

Clinton's proposals reportedly involve Israel turning over control of Arab neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem to the Palestinians along with the al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. 

The Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, would remain under Israeli sovereignty, according to media reports. 

There would be no right of return to Israel for the some 3.7 million refugees made homeless after the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, with only a small number allowed back to Israel for family reunification. 

Israel would withdraw from 95 percent of the West Bank and 100 percent of the Gaza Strip, territories it has occupied along with east Jerusalem since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. 

Currently, the Palestinians have full or partial control over 40 percent of the West Bank and some 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. 

Israelis are set to go to the polls on February 6 to elect a new premier. 

Caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who set the ball rolling for elections with a surprise resignation, has said the vote should serve as a referendum on peace -- JERUSALEM (AFP)  

 

 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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