A recent survey by Dr. Sharon Pardo, Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies at the Department of Politics and Government and Director of the Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society (CSEPS) at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,reveals that 81% of Israelis would like to see Israel join the EU (2009: 69%). In general, 43% of Israelis want stronger relations with the EU, 20% with the UN and 7% with NATO.

1. 3400425-47625-447675-250825<br />Ben-Gurion University of the Negev<br />Ben-Gurion University Survey Reveals Major Israeli Support for the European Unionand NATO<br />Growing support for Israeli membership in the European Union since last poll in 2009<br />Dr. Sharon Pardo, Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies inthe Department of Politics and Government, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: quot;
The results demonstrate that the Israeli public views the European Union as a crucial player and that Israelis believe in stronger cooperation and not in isolationquot;
<br />19050-3175BEER-SHEVA, Israel, July 11, 2011 — A recent survey by Dr. Sharon Pardo, Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies at the Department of Politics and Government and Director of the Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society (CSEPS) at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,reveals that 81% of Israelis would like to see Israel join the EU (2009: 69%). In general, 43% of Israelis want stronger relations with the EU, 20% with the UN and 7% with NATO.<br />According to Pardo the study showed that 68% (2009: 54%)of Israelis support joining NATO while 64% (2009: 54%) of Israelis are also supportive of NATO deploying troops to the West Bank and Gaza in a peace-keeping capacity. There was no difference found in this supportbetween the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel (63% vs. 64%).<br />Dr. Sharon Pardo (Dani Machlis/BGU)<br />For 47% of Israelis, the European Union’s support for a two-state-solution as the only framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict increases their level of support for the EU. Furthermore, for 19% of Israelis, a possible EU-Hamas dialogue increases their level of support for the EU. <br />The most highly regarded European leader right now is Chancellor Angela Merkel, with favorable ratings of55%. The survey also found that 8.5% of the Israelis are already citizens of one of the 27 EU Member States. <br />Pardo explains: quot;
The results show that there is widespread misperception about the Israeli public’s real attitudes toward the European Union. The Israeli public actually views the EU and its Member States as crucial players in shaping Israel’s futureand would like to see Europe and NATO playing an even more central role in the Middle East peace process.” Pardo notes that these findings suggest that Israelis are uncomfortable with the perceived isolationism propounded by the current government and want to see strongerand deeper cooperation with the EU, with its Member States and with multilateral organizations. <br />The survey was conducted by Panels Research Ltd. in mid-June 2011.1000 people responded to the survey which was a representative sample of the Israeli population. The survey has a 3.3% margin of error. <br />For more information: Sharon Pardo – pardos@bgu.ac.il; Skype: pardosharon<br />