Israel/Palestine

Mosby

(17,345 posts) Tue May 3, 2016, 05:38 PM May 2016

Israeli Arabs more optimistic about two-state solution than Arabs living in the WB and Gaza

The idea that an independent Palestinian state can peacefully coexist with Israel has been the cornerstone of many Arab-Israeli peace initiatives in recent years. But while significant shares of Israeli Arabs and Jews are optimistic about the prospect of a two-state solution, the Arabs currently in the Palestinian territories are less so.

Half of Israeli Arabs (citizens and residents living within the boundaries of Israel, as defined in the 2008 census conducted by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics) say it is possible for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully together, according to 2015 Pew Research Center surveys. By contrast, less than one-third of Arabs living in the Palestinian territories say a two-state solution is possible (28%). Jewish public opinion in Israel is divided on this question – 43% say a two-state solution is possible, while 45% disagree.

However, both Israeli Arabs and Arabs living in the Palestinian territories share a common skepticism about current efforts to achieve a peace settlement. Most Israeli Arabs (72%) and Arabs living in the Palestinian territories (84%) say the Israeli government is not making a sincere effort to bring peace to the region.

But Arab skepticism about the sincerity of Israeli politicians extends, to some degree, to the Palestinian leadership as well. Half of Israeli Arabs say Palestinian leaders are making a genuine effort to bring about peace with Israel, while four-in-ten say they are not.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/27/israeli-arabs-more-optimistic-about-two-state-solution-than-arabs-living-in-the-palestinian-territories/