The goals of the study:

1. Examining settlers' positions towards the possibility of resettlement.
2. Examining the settlers' political positions.
3. Examining the settlers' attitude towards subjects relevant to the territories such as unauthorized outposts, the Yesha Council and the "hilltop youth."

Methodology (See Apendix A):

The study was conducted by the Hopp research company headed by Dr. Micha Hopp, with the facilitation of a steering group including professors Dan Jacobson, Yochanan Peres and Yitzhak Schnell from Tel Aviv University.

The sample:

This study examined a representative sample of 644 households in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and a control group of 400 households inside the Green Line.

The margin of error in the study is 3%.

The research procedure:

A stratified sample of households on the West Bank and Gaza was selected by geographical region and type of settlement. A structured graduated questionnaire was used based on close-ended questions.

The current study applied identical sampling methods and interviewing principles to the ones used in the 2002 study. Each study was adjusted separately for an appropriate proportional representation of the population of the West Bank and Gaza according to areas and settlements.

Main findings:

Dismantling of settlements:

Expected response to decision to dismantle- see graph 1:

54% of the settlers would oppose the decision within the boundaries of the law (26% in July 2002)
36% of the settlers would obey the decision without resistance (67% in July 2002)
9% of the settlers might violate the law (5% in July 2002)
1% of the settlers might use violence (2% in July 2002)

The preferred solution in case of dismantlement- see graph 2:

74% of the settlers think the state should give the evacuees compensation and allow them to choose which solution they prefer for themselves (59% in July 2002)
9% of the settlers think the state should resettle the evacuees inside of the State of Israel (9% in July 2002)
8% of the settlers think the state should resettle the evacuees in other areas inside of the West Bank and Gaza (9% in July 2002)

If they could choose, where would the settlers prefer to live today:

71% of the settlers would prefer to stay where they live
14% of the settlers prefer to move now to another location in Israel
15% of the settlers prefer to move now to another location in the world

The legitimate authority in the eyes of the settlers to take a decision to withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza:

64% of the settlers think the Israeli government has the authority to decide on a withdrawal (54% in July 2002)
26% of the settlers accept the legitimacy of a rabbinical authority to decide on a withdrawal (30% in July 2002)

Political positions:

71% of the settlers think a peace agreement should be reached (55% in July 2002) - see graph 3
44% of the settlers think the Palestinians deserve a state (19% in July 2002) - see graph 4
47% of the settlers think ultimately a Palestinian state will be established in the West Bank and Gaza (43% in July 2002)

Settler positions on matters related to the West Bank and Gaza:

Building in the settlements:

46% of the settlers support continued building only in existing settlements
36% of the settlers support building new settlements
18% of the settlers think building in the West Bank and Gaza should be frozen

The unauthorized outposts in the territories:

66% of the settlers think unauthorized outposts should be removed
34% of the settlers think unauthorized outposts should not be removed

The "hilltop youth":

57% of the settlers view the hilltop youth as extremist and dangerous
43% of the settlers view the hilltop youth as the elite of the young generation

Settlers' representation:

14% of the settlers view the Yesha rabbis as representing their positions
12% of the settlers view the Yesha Council as representing their positions
17% of the settlers view no party as representing their positions

The degree of support the settlers expect from the Israeli public in the fight over the resettlement:

61% of the settlers think they will find themselves alone (75% of the residents inside the Green Line)
39% of the settlers think the citizens of Israel will stand by them

Conclusions:

Dismantling settlements is already possible today:

•  Most of the settlers would accept compensation for resettlement.
• A small minority would forcefully resist evacuation.

The positions of most of the settlers on the matter of resettlement and compensation are realistic and pragmatic under the circumstances. Most of that public continues to view the dismantling of settlements in exchange for appropriate financial compensation as a correct solution if it is demanded by a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Most of the settlers do not view the Yesha Council or the Yesha rabbis as representing them.

In the last year there has been a movement towards the center among most of the settlers, while on the other hand there has been an escalation among the minority of settlers willing to break the law. Only that group views the Yesha Council and the rabbis as representative bodies.

Demands:
1.  To create a government body structured as part of the prime minister's office and the finance and housing ministries, to prepare the infrastructure for the dismantlement of settlements in exchange for compensation. This body should also respond to appeals from settlers who would like to leave the territories immediately. This body should deal with for the preparations required for the resettlement of the settlers inside the State of Israel, specifically handling issues such as land, housing and other matters that are related to the restructuring of their lives.
2.   Since it is clear to most of the residents of Israel that a Palestinian state is going to be established in the territories, and that most of the residents of the settlements prefer a solution of resettlement in exchange for compensation, the Israeli government must immediately stop its huge investments of money in the territories.   The government must use some of those billions for a fair compensation for the settlers, to facilitate their return into the heart of the State of Israel.