Poll: Most Israelis don't trust Kerry to put Israel's security first

JERUSALEM, March 11 (UPI) -- Most Israelis believe U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is more interested in his place in history than in Israel's security, a poll issued Tuesday indicated.

The monthly Peace Index poll conducted for the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University found 66 percent of Israeli Jews and 53 percent of Israeli Arabs don't trust Kerry to give priority to the country's safety when he puts forth his American framework agreement in April, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Sixty-one percent of Israeli Jews and 56 percent of Israeli Arabs said they believe the top U.S. diplomat's primary motivation is to achieve a peace agreement that has eluded those before him. The poll found just 22 percent of Jewish Israelis and 16 percent of Arab Israelis said they think an honest concern for the future of both Israelis and Palestinians is at the heart of Kerry's efforts, while 8 percent of Jewish Israelis and 14 percent of Arab Israelis see him as equally inspired by the chance to make history and a concern for the two sides.

The Post said the survey, conducted March 3-4, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.