So says the results of a Geneva Initiative poll conducted three weeks ago and prior to the Annapolis Conference. Does it matter what the Israeli public thinks? Well, certainly, since their representatives in the Israeli government, the Knesset, will have to approve any agreement or treaty concluded with the Palestinians. So what do they believe concerning a peace plan that results in the creation of a Palestinian state, a Bantustan state or even a sovereign nation, whatever is the case.
For sake of reference, the Geneva Accord principles are as follows. I have added more specific text concerning sticky points:
·End of conflict. End of all claims.
·Mutual recognition of Israeli and Palestinian right to two separate states.
·A final, agreed upon border.
·A comprehensive solution to the refugee problem.The agreement provides for the permanent and complete resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem, under which refugees will be entitled to compensation for their refugee status and for loss of property, and will have the right to return to the State of Palestine. The refugees could also elect to remain in their present host countries, or relocate to third countries, among them Israel, at the sovereign discretion of third countries.
·Large settlement blocks and most of the settlers are annexed to Israel, as part of a 1:1 land swap.
·The border marked on a detailed map is final and indisputable.
·According to the accord and maps, the extended borders of the State of Israel will include Jewish settlements currently beyond the Green Line, Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, and territories with significance for security surrounding Ben Gurion International Airport. These territories will be annexed to Israel on agreement and will become inseparable from it.
·In return to the annexation of land beyond the 1967 border, Israel will hand over alternative land to the Palestinians, based on a 1:1 ratio. The lands annexed to the Palestinian State will be of equal quality and quantity.·Recognition of the Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and recognition of the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
·A demilitarized Palestinian state.
·A comprehensive and complete Palestinian commitment to fighting terrorism and incitement.
·An international verification group to oversee implementation.
The more specific proposals are added, because they constitute issues that will cause difficulty in negotiation, but also because of their deficiencies. For example, there is no specification of sovereignty: that the Palestinian state will control its own air space and borders, especially the Jordan River and Jordan Valley which abuts Jordan. Is this just another Bantustan proposal? A positive aspect is certainly that the ethnically cleansed Palestinian refugees should be able to return to the century old villages of their ancestors in Israel if they choose, although, since most of the villages have been bulldozed into the ground, and others turned into Israeli cities, it is not clear what those refugees would return to, even if they still have the deeds to those lands.
The poll was commissioned by the Geneva Initiative and conducted around October 30, 2007 by the MarketWatch Research Institute. It surveyed a representative sample of 600 Israelis (including the Russian-speaking and Arab Israeli communities). The maximum margin of error is ±4.0%
It found that the great majority of Israelis supported conducting permanent status negotiations with the Palestinians, but not necessarily now. What else did it find out about the opinions of Israelis?
1. Do you support or object to Israel conducting permanent status negotiations with the Palestinians?
Support 65%
Object 28%
Undecided 7%2. Do you support or object to Israel holding talks with Hamas on a ceasefire?
Support 54%
Object 44%
Undecided 3%3. In your opinion, is Mahmoud Abbas a partner with whom we must not lose the available opportunity, or would it be better to wait for the leader who follows him?
Partner who must not be missed 47%
Wait for the leader who follows 36%
Undecided 18%4. In your opinion, is Ehud Olmert capable of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians, or would it be better to wait for the leader who follows him?
Capable of reaching an agreement 33%
Wait for the leader who follows 55%
Undecided 12%5.To what extent do you support or object to the following components of an agreement?
A complete withdrawal to the’ 67 borders, excluding some settlement blocs, in exchange for unpopulated areas:
Object 57%
Support 30%
Undecided 14%Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem will be under Israeli sovereignty, and Arab neighborhoods under Palestinian Sovereignty:
Object 45%
Support 41%
Undecided 14%The Jewish Quarter and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem will be under Israeli sovereignty, and the mosques and Arab quarters in the Old City under Palestinian sovereignty:
Object 42%
Support 50%
Undecided 8%A demilitarized Palestinian state and the establishment of comprehensive security arrangements to protect Israel:
Object 35%
Support 53%
Undecided 13%The return of refugees to the Palestinian state and the limited admission of refugees into Israel based on Israel’s exclusive judgment:
Object 54%
Support 38%
Undecided 9%A mutual announcement by Israel and the Palestinians on the end of conflict and the lack of any further claims:
Object 17%
Support 72%
Undecided 11%To what extent do you support or object to a package-agreement along the parameters mentioned above?
Support 54%
Object 29%
Undecided 17%6. A peace conference with Israeli and Palestinian participation is set to take place in the U.S. this coming November. Which of the following options would you prefer?
Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas arrive at a general statement on the need for a two-state solution 37%
Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas arrive at a detailed document of understandings that presents the basis for a future permanent status agreement 46%
Neither 11%
Undecided 5%7. In the event that Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas reach an agreement of principles in the peace summit in the U.S. next month based on the following principles:
·A mutual recognition of the right of both states to exist and a joint battle against terrorism
·The establishment of a Palestinian state bordered by the Green Line with mutual modifications that will enable the annexation of large settlement blocs to Israel
·The division of East Jerusalem, with Jewish neighborhoods under Israeli sovereignty and Arab neighborhoods under Palestinian sovereignty
·A recognition of the suffering of the refugees and of the need to compensate them, without mentioning the right of returnTo what extent would you support or object to such an agreement?
Support 49%
Object 36%
Undecided 16%8. What do you think will happen if the November summit in the U.S. fails?
Terrorism and violence between the parties will rise 38%
There will be no change in the level of terrorism and violence 50%
Terrorism and violence will decrease 6%
Undecided 6%9. Following the summit, should Israel and the Palestinians, or should they not, begin ongoing negotiations with the aim of reaching a final status agreement within a year?
They should 73%
They should not 21%
Undecided 6%10. Do you or do you not believe a permanent status and end of conflict can be reached with the Palestinians?
Believe 41%
Do not believe 53%
Undecided 6%11. To what extent do you support increasing American involvement in the process between Israel and the Palestinians?
Support 71%
Object 26%
Undecided 4%12. To what extent do you support increasing European involvement in the process between Israel and the Palestinians?
Support 45%
Object 50%
Undecided 5%
In evaluating carefully written proposals such as the Geneva Initiatives’, it is always essential to look at the small print, the details, and what is not mentioned. Withdrawal of the Israeli settlements, the Israeli only towns and cities beyond the border, is not specified. A sovereign Palestinian nation rather than a Bantustan state of Palestine is not specified. Water rights is not specified, especially since right now, it is possible for settlers to fill their pools at will, while Palestinian families have to grovel for a few hours of water per week.
In this conflict, what is not stated is just as important as what is stated, if not more so, in any peace proposal. More deceptive generous offers will just not fulfill the requirements for peace.
