Most Israelis think settlements policy should change to avoid more sanctions, poll finds

Election banners in the Israeli settlement of Ofra in the occupied West Bank last month. Photograph: Ilia Yefimovich/AFP/ View image in fullscreen Election banners in the Israeli settlement of Ofra in the occupied West Bank last month. Photograph: Ilia Yefimovich/AFP/ Most Israelis think settlements policy should change to avoid more sanctions, poll finds Survey finds UK government’s decision to impose trade ban was not a decisive factor in how Israelis voted in election The UK government’s decision to impose a ban on trade in goods from illegal settlements was not decisive in how Israelis voted in their general election, but a majority think the Israeli government’s settlements policy should change if it is going to lead to further sanctions, a new poll of Israelis shows. There had been fierce criticism of the UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband’s decision in September to impose a trade ban and wider sanctions on illegal settlements, with some claiming it would drive Israeli voters into the arms of Benjamin Netanyahu. A survey last month , but there was little support for the UK’s ban on trade with goods from illegal settlements, with many fearing it would end up being extended across Israel. Israel election: what we know so far The survey is unique in showing how much the tougher line on Israel adopted , and the extent to which Israelis thought it was a response to Israel’s actions or born of hostility to Israel, or even antisemitism. The survey showed that three-quarters of supporters of the bloc backing Netanyahu said UK sanctions and trade ban policies towards Israel did not affect their vote at all, and to the small extent that they changed anyone’s vote, they shifted voters both ways, leaving no detectable net effect. Just over three-quarters of all those surveyed (76) – had heard of the UK government announcement on settlements, even if 18 % had only heard the broad headline. Four-fifths of those that were aware of the announcement knew that the policy applied to the West Bank, and not the whole of Israel. Israel’s relations with the west were “important or very important” to 60% of the supporters of the Change bloc of parties backing Gadi Eisenkot in deciding their vote. But even then these relationships came fifth in importance in a proffered group of six motives for voting. Only 30% of supporters of the Netanyahu bloc said relations with the west mattered in the same way. 'Nothing will change for us': Palestinians react to Israeli elections – video But 71% of voters for the opposition Change bloc said the Israeli government should adapt its settlements policy to avoid an escalation of sanctions.