How to Win Over the Public

Tel Aviv University published the results of a Peace Index poll they've been running monthly for almost a decade.

I think the information below from the poll indicates that I may have been right in my long-held beliefs that the methods, strategy, orientation and tactics of the anti-Oslo opposition led by the Yesha Council ("the Yesha Is Here" campaign vs. my proposed "This Is Not My Peace" line) as well as the current anti-Disengagement drive

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Arguments of both the opponents and the supporters turn out to be primarily security-oriented rather than “ideological.” Thus, among the opponents the most common argument—23%—is that the withdrawal from Gaza is interpreted by the Palestinians as flight, and they must not be allowed to think this since it strengthens them against Israel.

The second most common argument—21.5%—is that the withdrawal will lead to an intensification of terror against Israel from the Strip, and the third argument—20%—is that the withdrawal poses a strategic danger to Israeli security. Only 11% cite as a main factor that the withdrawal sets a dangerous precedent for the evacuation of West Bank settlements as well, and even fewer—9%—ascribe most of their opposition to the fact that Gaza is part of the Promised Land of Israel.

Among the disengagement supporters, the order of the arguments is as follows: 33% believe the Israeli presence in Gaza is too costly in terms of victims and strengthens the Palestinians’ motivation for terror against Israel, and 22% say Gaza is not part of the historical Land of Israel and therefore Israel has no business there. Some 14% think the withdrawal will signal to the Palestinians that Israel desires peace and will encourage a return to the negotiating table; 11.5% feel that being in Gaza has no strategic value in terms of Israeli security, and only 10% “bought” the explanation by Dov Weisglass that Israel should leave Gaza in order to relieve the international pressure, enabling it to retain the West Bank settlements in the long run.