Special report: Crisis between Israel and Palestine

    JERUSALEM, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A survey released by Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday showed that over 60 percent of Israelis and Palestinians are convinced that peace between the two sides are still far away.

Some Palestinian people watch the assembly of Hamas in a refugee camp in south Gaza. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

    The survey, conducted by the Maagar Mohot Institute, an independent polling service, showed that 66 percent of Israelis think that a permanent peace settlement would not be reached in the foreseeable future, while 33 percent were convinced that the conflict would not be solved within the next four years.

    Meanwhile, a parallel survey polling Palestinians found identical results.

    The survey was dedicated to examine public opinions among the two peoples following Hamas' victory in Palestinian elections in January and the results of Israeli elections in March, said Yedioth Ahronoth.

 

A Palestinian boy watches the assembly of Hamas in a refugee camp in south Gaza. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

   The questionnaire, which touched on a variety of subjects regarding the chances of Palestinians and Israelis reaching a peace agreement, surveyed 535 participants.

    The poll also showed that 62 percent of Israelis testified that they believe the majority on both sides is moderate and wants to reach an agreement, but extremist minority groups are preventing the conflict's resolution, according to the report. Enditem