What a difference a phrase makes

This past spring, the Independent Media News Agency (IMRA) and the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) conducted a poll of 501 Israelis (Jewish and Arab) with some interesting results. Three sets of responses highlight the enormous impact the wording of a poll question can have:

1. Do you support the proposal that Israel withdraw to the pre-Six Day War lines and agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state in return for peace with the Palestinians and the Arab states?

Total: For 46% Against 50% No reply 4%
Jews: For 40% Against 56% No reply 4%

2. Do you support the proposal that Israel withdraw to the pre-Six Day War lines - including from all of the Golan, Jordan Rift Valley, and the Old City of Jerusalem, and agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state in return for peace with the Palestinians and the Arab states?

Total: For 22% Against 73% No reply 5%
Jews: For 16% Against 80% No reply 4%

3. Do you support the proposal that Israel withdraw to the pre-Six Day War lines - including from all of the Golan, Jordan Rift Valley, and the Old City of Jerusalem and allow Palestinian refugees the right of return to Israel instead of receiving monetary compensation - in return for peace with the Palestinians and the Arab states?

Total: For 9% Against 87% No reply 4%
Jews: For 4% Against 93% No reply 3%

The third question contains a new element not present in the first two questions – the “right of return.” But even this is less of a difference than might at first appear. The proposed “peace with the Palaestinians and the Arab states” does not, at least at the moment, appear attainable without such a “right of return.”

So given what amounts to the same question asked with increasing degrees of detail, the response among Israeli Jews rocketed from 56% against to 93% against. It’s a good thing to remember the next time you see a Zogby poll. It's a good thing to remember, period.