U.S. Jews Favor Independent Palestinian State, Poll Shows

In the wake of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s peace agreement with Israel, a surprising majority of American Jews now favor allowing an independent Palestinian state to rise on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a nationwide survey has found.

An overwhelming majority supports the peace agreement and Israel’s decision to recognize the PLO. And a substantial majority supports U.S. economic aid to the Palestinians, the poll found.

“The numbers are quite remarkable,” said John Marttila, whose Boston polling firm of Marttila & Kiley surveyed 501 Jews for the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.

In response to the question “Do you favor or oppose permitting the creation of a fully independent Palestinian state in all or part of the West Bank and Gaza?” 56% said that they favor permitting a Palestinian state, 26% said they are opposed, 8% said their response would depend on the details and 10% said they are not sure.

That represented a remarkable reversal in opinion. For years, Israeli and American Jewish leaders have warned that the establishment of a Palestinian state would be a mortal danger to Israel. Even now, the Israeli government of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin contends, at least officially, that it still opposes an independent state for the Palestinians.

The same percentage of American Jews who said they favor permitting a Palestinian state, 56%, said they expect the peace pact to lead to establishment of an independent Palestine.

On other questions, 87% said they approve of the peace agreement, 82% said they back of Israel’s decision to recognize the PLO and 60% said they favor U.S. aid to the Palestinians.

But their enthusiasm was tempered: 66% agreed with the statement: “I do not really favor the agreement with the PLO, but I don’t think there was any better alternative.”

Respondents were divided on the issue of whether Israel will be more secure if it withdraws its troops from the occupied territories or keeps troops there; 45% said withdrawal would increase Israel’s security and 38% said keeping troops there would provide more security. The peace agreement calls for withdrawing Israeli troops from most of the territories.

The Israel-PLO agreement left unresolved the question of control of the city of Jerusalem. Asked what Israel’s position should be in the future, 64% said Israel should never give up control of any part of the city and 32% said the city’s status should be negotiated in the future.