The poll reflects a continual and gradual decline in support, which dropped to 60 percent several months ago, and then to 55 percent last month. Opposition has grown to almost 40 percent from less than one-third a year ago.
The poll reinforces statements made by military officials to Ynet news yesterday that the intensity and depth of the anti-evacuation public could "shut down the country" and that the defense establishment will not be able to carry out the plan.
The drop in support parallels an increasing feeling of insecurity among Israelis. The polls states that the feeling of "personal security" has dropped from 71 per cent to 61 per cent.
The principal argument against a national referendum on the evacuation was that all polls showed that two-thirds of the nation supported it. Opponents to evacuation argued that the polls did not reflect the true feelings of those who said they favored pulling out civilians and military forces from Gaza and northern Samaria. A large number of those who still back the plan have said their support is contingent on the Palestinian Authority (PA) putting a stop to terror and incitement.
One explanation for the drop in support is an escalation in incitement and terror over the past two months, even as PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) was telling U.S. President George W. Bush that the PA has made major reforms in its security organization. American officials have noted that the changes are administrative.
The reforms not only have been ineffective in stopping terror but also have been received with rebellion. Hundreds of PA police staged a violent PA protest in Gaza Thursday night against the reforms and demanded the reinstatement of Moussa Arafat, a close relative of former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat who was dismissed after being accused of corruption. Last night's protest, and the storming of PA offices earlier this week, indicated worsening civil strife in the PA.
The lack of ability or intention on the part of the PA to disarm terrorists was further highlighted this week by Israel's capture of eight Islamic Jihad terrorists from the areas of Shechem, Bethlehem and Hevron. They had intended to stage at least two suicide bombings in the suburban Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot this past week.
The poll reinforces statements made by military officials to Ynet news yesterday that the intensity and depth of the anti-evacuation public could "shut down the country" and that the defense establishment will not be able to carry out the plan.
The drop in support parallels an increasing feeling of insecurity among Israelis. The polls states that the feeling of "personal security" has dropped from 71 per cent to 61 per cent.
The principal argument against a national referendum on the evacuation was that all polls showed that two-thirds of the nation supported it. Opponents to evacuation argued that the polls did not reflect the true feelings of those who said they favored pulling out civilians and military forces from Gaza and northern Samaria. A large number of those who still back the plan have said their support is contingent on the Palestinian Authority (PA) putting a stop to terror and incitement.
One explanation for the drop in support is an escalation in incitement and terror over the past two months, even as PA chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) was telling U.S. President George W. Bush that the PA has made major reforms in its security organization. American officials have noted that the changes are administrative.
The reforms not only have been ineffective in stopping terror but also have been received with rebellion. Hundreds of PA police staged a violent PA protest in Gaza Thursday night against the reforms and demanded the reinstatement of Moussa Arafat, a close relative of former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat who was dismissed after being accused of corruption. Last night's protest, and the storming of PA offices earlier this week, indicated worsening civil strife in the PA.
The lack of ability or intention on the part of the PA to disarm terrorists was further highlighted this week by Israel's capture of eight Islamic Jihad terrorists from the areas of Shechem, Bethlehem and Hevron. They had intended to stage at least two suicide bombings in the suburban Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot this past week.