Most Israelis favour the "road map" for peace but only a slight majority think it will lead to a lasting accord with the Palestinians, an opinion poll published today said.
The poll said that, of the 500-strong sample questioned, 56 per cent were in favour of the international peace plan, compared with 34 per cent against and 10 per cent undecided.
Some 51 per cent believed the roadmap would reach its goal of a lasting peace and a separate Palestinian state by 2005, against 43 per cent in doubt.
A total 62 per cent believed that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon only gave his consent to the plan under pressure from the United States, which said it would take Israeli concerns into account.
Mr Sharon's government reluctantly approved the plan yesterday and immediately rejected the return of Palestinian refugees who fled their homes on the creation of Israel in 1948.
AFP