Half of Israelis favor deal on Jerusalem: poll

The survey in Yedioth Ahronoth said 49 percent favored giving Palestinians control over largely Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in a move not recognized internationally.

Another 49 percent said they would oppose relinquishing any of the city Israel regards as its "indivisible capital." Palestinians want East Jerusalem as capital of a would-be state.

The fate of the city, holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians has always been one of the toughest problems facing any peace negotiations.

The survey was taken after the U.S. weekly Newsweek quoted a pollster for Sharon as saying the prime minister was "in theory" in favor of a withdrawal from 90 percent of the occupied West Bank and parts of Jerusalem.

Sharon has strongly denied the report, but the newspaper poll suggested most Israelis felt it was true. It said that 56 percent believed Sharon would agree to exchange parts of the city for peace, while 37 percent thought he would not.

Sharon quit the rightist Likud Party last month to head a separate list called Kadima, saying he sought a freer hand for peace moves with the Palestinians, though he says there would be no negotiations before the Palestinians disarm militants.

Polls predict the ex-general would win a third term in a March 28 national election.

Source

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