Poll finds 83% of Likud members oppose concessions

Only 5% of faction members in favor of creating Palestinian state in temporary borders, even though it could soon become PM's peace plan.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Bibi netanyahu (photo credit: JPost Staff)
Bibi netanyahu
(photo credit: JPost Staff)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu may have a harder time advancing a new diplomatic initiative than he had previously thought, after an automated poll conducted by a body called the Likud National Task Force found that 83 percent of Likud members opposed making any concessions to the Palestinians.
The automated polling system, which settler leaders admit was unscientific, called 113,643 Likud Party members. Nearly 72,000 picked up the phone, of whom 26,959 participated and agreed to answer one question.
RELATED:PM: Don't believe reports on diplomatic initiativeEditorial: Peace in a volatile regionParticipants were given three choices: The creation of a Palestinian state in temporary borders, an interim agreement with transferring some territory, or no concessions at all.
Only 5% were in favor of creating a Palestinian state in temporary borders, even though it could soon become Netanyahu’s diplomatic plan, 12% said they backed an interim agreement, and 83% opposed any concessions and the creation of a Palestinian state.
Officials in the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria called the poll a “slap in the face” to Netanyahu. They intend to intensify efforts to prevent him from advancing a diplomatic initiative next week.
Mayors from Judea and Samaria, nearly all of whom are Likud central committee members, intend to come to the Knesset on Monday to meet with the party’s ministers and encourage them to confront Netanyahu on the diplomatic issue.
In addition, Likud MK Danny Danon drafted the support of 10 Likud branch heads calling upon the prime minister to not surrender territory to the Palestinian Authority. The list includes key political allies of Netanyahu.