Poll: Israelis divided on US role in peace process

Survey commissioned by B'nai Brith finds Israelis strongly support gov't investment in Diaspora.

By GIL STERN STERN SHEFLER
US and Israeli flags 390 (photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
US and Israeli flags 390
(photo credit: Thinkstock/Imagebank)
Israelis are divided over whether US involvement in the Middle East peace process has had a positive or negative impact, according to a study released on Wednesday.
About a third of respondents who took part in a poll commissioned by B’nai B’rith World Center said Washington has impeded progress, a third said it has facilitated it and another third said they did not know.
KEEVOON Research conducted the Internet survey on June 20 with 507 Israeli Jews age 18 or older, with a 4.5 percent margin of error.
Israelis strongly supported government investment in the Diaspora, which would in effect reverse the traditional flow of Jewish funds to Israel from the Diaspora. About 80% said they would condone expenditure on programs like Masa and Taglit- Birthright, which bring young adults to Israel on short visits and sojourns.
On the question of whether Israeli tax-payer money should be spent on helping Diaspora Jews’ needs during a time of recession, a 46% to 43% majority was in favor of diverting funds towards their brethren in other countries. The majority of respondents added that the long-term solution to problems of Jewish communities overseas was immigrating to Israel.


Related Tags
taglit