Support for WB settlements dropping among Israeli public

A public opinion poll on settlements in the West Bank, conducted annually for the past six years, shows a trend of decreasing support among the Israeli public for the settlers.

The poll also reveals the public is less opposed to ‘territorial concessions’ and more concerned of international boycotts, and conditions its support for settlers on their combating Jewish lawbreakers in the territories.

The poll was presented at Ariel University. Profs. Miryam Billig and Udi Lebel, who conducted the research, state that the poll shows a drastic decline in public support for settlers since 2009.

The 550 individuals over the age of 18 who participated in the poll do not reside in the West Bank, and reflect a cross-section of Israeli society.

The poll revealed that 59 percent of those questioned believed the settlements harm Israel’s relationship with the United States government.

Half of those polled agreed with suggestions that the budget for settlements come at the expense of education and social welfare, and 40 percent believe that Jewish settlements in the West Bank are a waste of Israeli money.

The polls also revealed that a small minority supports perpetuating the status quo (12 percent), while 31 percent would support partial or full annexation of the West Bank, though the majority of the Israeli public (51 percent) would support partial or full disengagement as part of an agreement with the Palestinians.