By Ryan Jones
Jan 24, 2006
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Tuesday seemed to misread the despair his countrymen feel regarding chances for peace in the near future as a "glimmer of hope"? resulting from last summer's Gaza withdrawal and his Kadima Party's intentions to surrender even more land.
"I see a glimmer of hope in the eyes of Israelis for the first time in years,"? Olmert told the prestigious Herzliya Conference just after outlining the additional unilateral withdrawals a government headed by himself would implement in Judea and Samaria.
But according to the results of a survey scheduled to be presented to the Herzliya Conference earlier Tuesday, what Olmert sees in Israelis' eyes is pessimism and resignation.
Commissioned by the Jewish Agency, the poll showed an overwhelming 77 percent majority of Israelis believe that even 20 years from now there will be no significant change in the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Many expect the situation to actually worsen.
That despite the fact 70 percent believe Olmert or another leader will indeed follow through on plans to offer more ancient Jewish lands for peace.