Poll shows Israelis feeling bleak about their future

Only 19 percent saw Israeli Jews moving toward unity and agreement. Much of the remainder believed that there would be no change in the situation.

Young people had more discouraging views on this issue, while Israeli Arabs were more optimistic that Jews would move toward unity.

The most equitable range in responses came from a question about the prospect of Israeli peace with the Palestinians and Syrians. About 35 percent thought there would be a more conflict, while 28 percent believed progress would be made.

In contrast to Jews, nearly half of the Israeli Arabs polled were optimistic about moving toward peace, with less than 30 percent anticipating more problems.

When asked if Israeli Arabs and Jews were likely to move more toward agreement in the next year, just 17 percent of all respondents answered in the positive. Forty-six percent expect more confrontation.

On this issue, the respondents who voted for Benjamin Netanyahu in last year's election for prime minister felt more strongly that disagreement was more likely -- with 52 percent expressing this view, as opposed to 39 percent among those who voted for Ehud Barak.

Israeli Arabs held a more encouraging outlook: 33 percent expected improved relations between Jews and Arabs, and 38 percent believed the contrary was more likely.

Overall, the results indicated that younger people were more emphatic in their belief that conflict would color their futures. The survey also showed that Netanyahu voters were likely to share this outlook.

Hanoch and Rafi Smith Research and Consulting conducted the poll for the Jerusalem Post during the first week of May. It has a 4.5 percent margin of error.