A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Israeli View on Settlements

There is a popular myth frequently stated as factual by the international media - including the Jewish media - that a majority of Israelis are willing to dismantle all or most of the "settlements." The myth is just that, though the lack of sophistication of many Israelis as to what is and what isn't considered a "settlement" contributes much to the myth's credibility.

The latest monthly peace index by Professors Ephraim Yaar and Tamar Hermann, heads of the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research of Tel Aviv University is very revealing. It reflects a poll taken between August 29-31, 2004.

According to the poll results, 17% of Israelis would evacuate all settlements in the context of a final agreement with the Palestinians, 15% would agree to leave most of the settlements, 37% favor evacuating only those settlements that are among or close to Palestinian towns and villages, and 25% oppose any settlement evacuation under any circumstances.

Thus, 32 percent would agree to give up all or most of the settlements, while 62 percent insist on, at most, a limited withdrawal.

Even more interesting is the poll's finding that many Israelis do not consider a number of communities within Judea and Samaria to be "settlements." Indeed, most do not regard Ma'aleh Adumim, Ariel or the Gush Etzion communities as being "settlements in the territories."

One wonders, therefore, whether polls that show significant support for a halt to construction in "settlements" can be taken at face value. If most Israelis do not regard Ma'aleh Adumim, Ariel and the communities in Gush Etzion to be "settlements," than many who purport to support a freeze in "settlements" are in fact only referring to some "settlements" (likely smaller isolated ones), not all of them.
posted on 9/10/2004