Posted on 01/19/2005 1:59:45 PM PST by anotherview
Jan. 19, 2005 0:31 | Updated Jan. 19, 2005 18:10
Poll: Most Palestinians, Israelis back Clinton plan
By LAMIA LAHOUD
For the first time, a majority of Palestinians and Israelis support a final-status settlement based on former US president Bill Clinton's plan, acceding to a survey by the Palestinian Center for Survey Research in Ramallah and the Truman Foundation.
Clinton proposed a Palestinian state on most of the land captured in 1967, giving up the right of return and dividing Jerusalem along demographic lines.
Sixty three percent of Palestinians support an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with the exception of some settlement areas in less than 3% of the West Bank that would be swapped with an equal amount of territory from Israel in accordance with a map that was presented to respondents.
In December 2003, only 57 percent supported the proposal.
Among Israelis, 55% supported a Palestinian state in most of the West Bank and Gaza, while in December 2003, 50% supported it.
Among Palestinians, 47% support and 50% oppose a refugee settlement in which both sides agree that the solution will be based on UN resolutions 194 and 242. In December 2003, only 25 percent agreed. According to the proposal, the refugees would be given five choices for permanent residency. In the Palestinian state and the Israeli areas transferred to it, no restrictions would be imposed on refugee return.
Residency in the other three areas – in host countries, third countries and Israel – would be subject to the decision of these states. As a base for its decision, Israel will consider the average number of refugees admitted to third countries. All refugees would be entitled to compensation for their suffering and loss of property.
Among Israelis, 44% support such an arrangement compared to 35% who supported it in December 2003.
The Palestinian poll interviewed 1319 adults in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 120 randomly selected locations between December 30 and 31. It has a margin of error of about 3%.
The Israeli poll interviewed 501 adults in Hebrew, Arabic or Russian on January 9 and 10. The margin of error is 4.5%.
The poll shows that there is a sense of hope for a new era of negotiations and end of violence following the death of Yasser Arafat, a Palestinian Authority official said.
A senior West Bank Fatah leader said that most Palestinians are looking for realistic solutions, not unreachable dreams. He said this is the reason PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas won a landslide election victory.
How nice. Too bad for the Pallies they didn't take the deal when they had the chance.
I don't quite understand how carving out a "country" from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank will end the struggle. There will surely be the need for a land bridge, and that will bisect Israel into it's own unconnected halves.
Some Israeli citizens need a reality check along with some Palestinians -- Bill Clinton is no longer President and his deal is over and done with -- bad deal for Israel anyways and find it hard to believe that anyone in Israel would have backed such a plan.
That is part of the whole problem with the situation. The Palestinians went on this murderous rampage turning down Clinton's deal but they know it is always available to them anyway. Since they don't care too much about the suffering of their people there is no real loss to them.
It won't. That's the myth the more anti-Israel elements of society want to push, though.
Sorry, too late.
"I don't quite understand how carving out a "country" from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank will end the struggle. There will surely be the need for a land bridge, and that will bisect Israel into it's own unconnected halves."
Have to wonder just who was polled. The thought that the Palestinians could now go back to that Clinton deal that sold out Israel is unthinkable IMHO.
Wishful thinking.
Ping!
Tough luck, it's off the table.
I also don't hear anyone wanting to put it back on the table. What Clinton and Barak offered was after a period of relative calm and relative goodwill. The last four years of intifada have destroyed all that.
What might make sense if you believed the Palestinians would make good, friendly neighbors makes no sense when you believe they will still be hostile after any agreement is signed.
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