Give the people what they want

With the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel on May 14, all sorts of opinions and public polls are being undertaken to determine the sentiments of, primarily, Israeli Jews on its past, present and future.

One poll recently undertaken threw up some surprising figures - surprising, that is, to the hawkish elements in Israel. Despite claims by many politicians that peace with the Palestinians will eventually be achieved, it seems that 70 per cent of the population do not agree, and believe that peace will never be attainable between the two.

This depressing scenario probably reflects a more realistic attitude to the various negotiations that have taken place, rather than the vague promises of an eventual successful outcome which has, over the years, failed to materialise.

Continued promises by Israeli leaders of a better tomorrow weary the public, especially when the promised tomorrows never achieve anything. Yet the same poll shows the majority of Israelis - some 57 per cent - favour holding peace talks with the Palestinians, and 70 per cent support the creation of a Palestinian state.

It is obvious that for one reason or another successive Israeli leaders are not prepared to heed the wishes of the public but instead prefer continuous confrontation.