A Higher Priority for Middle East Peacemaking

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A Higher Priority for Middle East Peacemaking

• September 10, 2004
• Council for the National Interest

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Previous Polls

• Democrats are generally supportive of CNIs
  positions (Recognize Palestine, Hold Israel
  Accountable, Support a New Israel Policy)
• Republicans are split equally between support and
  opposition
• Independents are generally supportive, but less
  so than Democrats

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Latest Poll

• Question Should Israel-Palestine be a much
  higher priority?
• All three groups are supportive
• Slightly more Republicans are supportive than
  Democrats, but their support is weaker
• Independents are the least supportive of the
  three
• Either major party candidate could benefit by
  giving a much higher priority to the Middle East
  peace process.

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Conclusion

• Specific policy positions should include
• Support elections in Palestine.
• Create and implement a Regional Road Map that
  includes Israel and all her neighbors.
• Recognize a Palestinian state that can negotiate
  final status issues and exchange ambassadors with
  that state.
• Link success in settling the Arab-Israeli dispute
  with success in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• End both the Israeli occupation of Palestine and
  the American occupation of Iraq as soon as
  elections are held.