The poll, conducted by Smith Research and Consulting for the Zionist Organization of America, found that of the 500 Israeli Jews polled, 67% are opposed to major withdrawals from Judea and Samaria in response to the Palestinian Authority's failure to combat terror groups. Among self-proclaimed Kadima supporters, 54% opposed further unilateral withdrawals.
Just 28% of the Jewish public, and 37% of Kadima constituents, said they support carrying out significant withdrawals if the Road Map is not advanced upon due to PA inaction.
A follow-up question found that of those who oppose unilateral withdrawal
under those circumstances, 75% responded that they would not vote for a
party that would support such a move, and 18% would. Among those intending to
vote for Kadima who oppose unilateral withdrawal under those circumstances,
68% responded that they would not vote for a party that would support such a
move, while 20% would.
The ZOA-sponsored poll is significant in that is seems to bolster claims by political pundits that once the novelty of the big-name celebrities migrating to Sharon's party wears off, the public will not place the Kadima slips in the ballot boxes.
"It is funny to see that politicians are taking part in a game of 'A Star is Born' [popular Israeli talent show similar to American Idol –ed.] and it seems that it is not by chance that elections will be held after Purim," Shas Party leader MK Eli Yishai said earlier this week. "The present election campaign revolves around important ideological issues and I am certain the public is more impressed by the migration of birds than by the migration of politicians."
Dr. Aaron Lerner of Independent Media Research Analysis analyzed the poll in light of the current political scene. "While [recent Labor Party defector] Chaim Ramon and many others associated with the Kadima Party openly state that Prime Minister Sharon will carry out a significant unilateral withdrawal from Judea and Samaria if it is not possible to advance in negotiations with the Palestinians on the basis of the Road Map after the elections because the PA fails to fight terror - and that this is the most likely scenario - Sharon opts to dodge the question."
Lerner was referring to a direct question to Sharon asked by Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman at the Editors' Convention at Sokolov House in Tel Aviv Thursday. Huberman asked the prime minister what his plans are for after the elections should the PA continue to fail to fight terror. Sharon repeated his standard declaration of commitment to the Road Map, insisting that there are no additional plans such as the Disengagement Plan in the works.