A new survey of Israelis conducted this week indicated public support for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's unilateral 'disengagement' plan had dropped below 50 percent for the first time.
While 75 percent of Israelis believe the forced evacuation of Jews from Gaza and northern Samaria will be implemented, the poll showed only 48 percent now support the plan in its current unilateral framework.
And the poll includes all Israelis, including Arabs, so that among Jews it would appear that opponents are reaching parity with proponents of 'disengagement.'
A large majority feels quitting Gaza and northern Samaria in a manner that looks like retreat will result in increased Palestinian Arab terror against Israel's Jews.
Only 25 percent said the pullout would bring a decline in terror, as originally promised by Sharon.
Fifty-two percent of respondents expect implementation of the plan to further tear Israeli society in two.
Researchers Dr. Yariv Tsfati and Dr. Yoram Peri of the Herzog Institute for Media, Society, and Politics at Tel Aviv University carried out the survey among a random sampling of 519 Israeli adults.
They said the results provided evidence that most Israelis have a guarded view of disengagement, and only support the plan because they believe there to be no alternative.
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