Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon decided to prohibit PA (Palestinian Authority) residents from riding the same buses as residents of Yishuvim when they return to Yehuda and Shomron after working in Green Line Israel. That policy was met by objections from Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. The segregation became a political hot potato and ultimately, Ya’alon and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu backed down on the segregation issue.

A Peace Index poll released by Tel Aviv University shows that 52% of Israelis back segregated buses in Yehuda and Shomron. 42% are opposed to segregation, citing they feel PA laborers should be permitted to travel home on the same buses with Jewish residents of those areas. 600 persons participated in the poll.

It is most interesting if one analyzes the results of the peace index poll based on how respondents voted in Knesset elections. Among Shas supporters, 93% favor segregation, 73% (Bayit Yehudi & Likud), 19% (Labor) and 70% of the Joint Arab List opposes segregation as one would expect.

If a boycott against goods originating in settlements is launched in Israel, will you honor the boycott?

75.7% would not honor such a boycott

10.5% would honor the boycott

8.3% are uncertain but feel they would honor the boycott.

If the response is analyzed by political affiliated, one sees that 71% of Meretz supporters would honor such a boycott. 59% of Arabs would honor it as well and among other parties, only an insignificant number would comply with the boycott.

Would you live in a community in Yehuda and Shomron?

75% of respondents explain that even if they could receive an apartment that is significantly better than the one they live in, they would not move to a community in Yehuda or Shomron.

Interestingly, if the respondents are broken down into age groups, among the young and mid age respondents, who are more likely to be concerned with finding an apartment, only a quarter would move to Yehuda and Shomron even if they would receive an improved apartment.

66.4% of the respondents feel relations with nations around the world and Israel are not too good-to-not good, 3.2% feel relations are very good, and 30.5% feel relations are good enough.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)