Poll: Israelis, Palestinians skeptical about talks

Top Israelis pledge support for talks
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received a boost earlier this week when a group of prominent Israeli intellectuals and former army officers pledged their support for his peace efforts. But the feeling does not appear to be trickling down to the street.

“The conflict is too deep to solve in words. We need deeds,” said Daniel Nevo, 24, from Jerusalem. “I don’t think that the conflict can be solved in my lifetime.”

The Palestinian poll indicated a slight increase in optimism. But many remain skeptical.

“I think they will not succeed,” said Nidal Khalaf, a 38-year-old restaurant operator in the West Bank city of Nablus. “If they do, I will make a huge party in my restaurant to celebrate, but it seems unlikely.”

Complicating matters is the June takeover of the Gaza Strip by the Islamic militants of Hamas. Israel’s negotiating partner, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah movement, rules from the West Bank and has little influence over Gaza.

On Friday, Hamas and other militant groups rallied tens of thousands of their supporters to protest the Annapolis meeting, saying no such negotiations can deliver Palestinian rights. Hamas wasn’t invited to the conference.

Israelis question point of talks
With Abbas unable to halt Gaza militants firing crude Qassam rockets into Israel almost daily, many Israelis question the point of peace talks. Israel has responded to the Hamas takeover by closing Gaza’s borders, allowing in only food and other basic humanitarian supplies.

Fayez Ali, 38, a Gaza businessman, said he prays the conference will ease the stifling closure of Gaza that has devastated his clothing business.

“I am full of hope that the conference will change our life,” he said. “We live in a hell now and we want to get out from this hell to live again as humans, to have a good economy and to have a good future.”

Shaaban Abdel Radi, 44, a Gaza farmer, said he doubts the current leadership could bring about a compromise, but said it was worth a try.

“The conference will bring nothing, but it will revive the hope in our hearts,” he said. “Hope is all we have.”

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