Majority of Israel's Jews oppose West Bank annexation, survey says

According to Commanders for Israel's Security movement's poll, only quarter of all respondents support the move, while only third of Likud voters in favor of the initiative; 40% prefer a permanent two-state solution with the Palestinians
Itamar Eichner|
The majority of Israel's Jews do not support the annexation of disputed territories in the West Bank, says a new survey published on Wednesday.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • The survey, conducted by the Commanders for Israel's Security movement (comprised of senior security officials who oppose the extension of Israeli sovereignty to Palestinian-held lands), examined a sample of 1,000 people from the Jewish public alone.
    3 View gallery
    הפגנה של מחנה השלום בתל אביב
    הפגנה של מחנה השלום בתל אביב
    Left-wing demonstration against annexation of West Banks territories in Tel Aviv
    (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
    According to the poll, only a quarter of the respondents (26%) said they support the potential annexation, while 40% prefer a permanent two-state solution, 22% favor unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians, while only 13% are content with the current situation.
    Although the pledge to annex the strategic parts of the West Bank was one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's major election campaign points, only a third (36%) of his Likud party's supporters said they back the initiative.
    3 View gallery
    בנימין נתניהו בטקס נטיעת עץ לרגל חג ט"ו בשבט בבקעת הירדן
    בנימין נתניהו בטקס נטיעת עץ לרגל חג ט"ו בשבט בבקעת הירדן
    Netanyahu in the Jordan Valley
    (Photo: AP)
    Some 21% of Likud voters said they preferred a permanent two-state solution, while 25% favor unilateral pullout, and 18% are content with the current situation.
    The survey also shows that most Jewish citizens, including most Likud voters, do not support the annexation of the Jordan Valley if the move would put a strain on relations with Jordan.
    Only 28% said they were willing to risk the peace agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom. Among Blue & White voters, only 10% are willing to risk the peace agreement and 41% of Likud voters said they would agree to the move.
    3 View gallery
    Matan Vilnai
    Matan Vilnai
    Chairman of Commanders for Israel's Security and former Deputy Chief of Staff Matan Vilnai
    (Photo: Gabi Menashe)
    "The data shows that a significant majority in the public opposes annexation, and prefers solutions based on separation from the Palestinians," said Chairman of Commanders for Israel's Security and former Deputy Chief of Staff Matan Vilnai.
    "Unilateral annexation, without proper preparation and without consulting professionals, could lead to a disaster for Israel and create a violent chain reaction. We, former senior security officials, urge the Israeli government to refrain from a unilateral annexation and not approve such a significant and risky move without conducting a referendum first."
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""