(Angus Reid – CPOD Global Scan) – Adults in the United States are divided over the prospect of reconciliation in the Middle East, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 43 per cent of respondents believe this month’s Palestinian elections are more likely to bring peace to the region, while 33 per cent say violence will continue.
(Angus Reid – CPOD Global Scan) – Adults in the United States are divided over the prospect of reconciliation in the Middle East, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 43 per cent of respondents believe this month’s Palestinian elections are more likely to bring peace to the region, while 33 per cent say violence will continue.
On Jan. 14, a bomb at the Karni terminal crossing in the Gaza Strip killed six Israelis. Radical groups Hamas and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack. Assaf Shawin—spokesman for Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon—said the Israeli government was “severing all planned contacts with the Palestinians on all levels, from security to government leadership” until “they take steps against terror.”
Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas won the Jan. 9 Palestinian Authority presidential election with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. On Jan. 15, Abbas was officially sworn in, and said Israelis and Palestinians were “destined to live side by side and to share this land.” The president also urged for a “mutual ceasefire to end this cycle of violence.”
More Americans believe a non-violent resolution can be achieved. 31 per cent of respondents believe peace is attainable in the area, an eight per cent increase since June 2003.
Polling Data
Recently Palestinians elected Mahmoud Abbas as the new Palestinian Authority president to replace Yasser Arafat who died in November. Do you think the Palestinian elections are more likely to bring about peace in the Middle East or continued violence?
Peace | 43% |
Violence | 33% |
Mix | 9% |
Not sure | 15% |
Do you think there will ever be peace in the Middle East?
Jan. 2005 | Jun. 2003 | |
Yes | 31% | 23% |
No | 61% | 69% |
Not sure | 8% | 8% |
Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 900 American registered voters, conducted on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
