Nearly two-fifths of Israeli Jews support annexing the West Bank despite over half supporting sovereignty over the settlements, according to a poll released by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI).
The poll showed that 55% of Israeli Jews want the country to maintain authority over Jewish settlements in the West Bank in any future agreement with the Palestinians.
Regarding annexation, participants were given four groups of choices: some 37% of all Israelis supported full annexation, 30% said the territory should be divided, while just 10% supported full transfer of sovereignty to the Palestinians, with slightly more than that saying the situation should continue as is.
Some 35% of Jewish Israelis said the terrority should be divided, with 22% of those supporting annexation saying that the Palestinian population should be transferred to Arab countries. Approximately 14% said that West Bank Palestinians should be given autonomy following Israeli annexation of the territory.
Notably, less than 1% of Jewish Israeli participants said that Palestinians should be given full Israeli citizenship upon annexation of the West Bank.
Notably, 19% of Arab Israelis said they support Israel annexing the West Bank, assuming citizenship would be granted to the Palestinians living there, though 23% said a Palestinian state should be established over the entire territory.
Poll shows Israelis lack faith in BoP Gaza plan
The poll also explored the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) plan pushed by US President Donald Trump, showing that Israelis are less-than-enthusiastic about what they believe the plan will achieve.
According to JPPI, most Israelis (58%) believe the situation in Gaza will not change despite the plan, with the number climbing to 63% amongst Israeli Jews.
Just 3% of respondents said they believe the plan will achieve all its goals, including Hamas's disarmament, while no Jewish Israelis agreed with the sentiment.
JPPI President Professor Yedidya Stern described the findings as indicating "deep pessimism among Israelis" regarding Gaza.
"This does not indicate a fundamental preference by Israelis for the continued occupation of Gaza, but rather a deep lack of trust in Hamas' willingness to relinquish its control over the Strip," said Stern.
"This means that, in the opinion of most of us, and in the absence of another plan on the political-security table, Israel is destined to continue to control most of the Gaza Strip in the long term."