Poll: Most Believe Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty Essential

As the fortieth anniversary of the Israel-Egypt peace treaty approaches, poll findings released on Sunday show overwhelming support for it, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Some 82 percent of respondents in an online poll conducted by Hebrew University’s Truman Research Institute said they believe that the treaty was still essential for Israel’s security.

When asked about details of the treaty, the response was somewhat less positive. Some 56 percent said the return of the Sinai to Egypt as part of that agreement was not a mistake, while 30 percent said it was a mistake, and 14 percent did not know.
Feelings of trust after 40 years were also mixed. About 65 percent said they would not trust Egyptian security forces on the other side of the border to protect Israel from a terrorist attack.

However, 71 percent expressed confidence in Egypt to act as a broker to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli support for the treaty has not promoted feelings of friendship, as 66 percent agreed with the description that it was a cold peace, and 64 percent said that Egypt was neither Israel’s friend nor enemy.

A further indication that most Israelis viewed the deal pragmatically was the response to a question about visiting Egypt. Only 16 percent of those polled had visited Egypt, and only 22 percent said they wanted to go. Almost two thirds, 64 percent, said they had not gone and were not interested in going.