(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people living in the Palestinian Territories believe attacking Israel with rockets is a pointless endeavour, according to a poll by Near East Consulting. 66 per cent of respondents believe firing the rockets brings no benefit to the Palestinians.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people living in the Palestinian Territories believe attacking Israel with rockets is a pointless endeavour, according to a poll by Near East Consulting. 66 per cent of respondents believe firing the rockets brings no benefit to the Palestinians.
However, 51 per cent of respondents support the actual firing of rockets into Israel by Palestinian factions, while 43 per cent oppose it.
Throughout May and June, Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip have launched about 300 Qassam rockets into Israel. The Israeli government has retaliated with air strikes targeting suspected compounds and businesses that allegedly transfer money to Hamas.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas—a member of Fatah—has proposed a ceasefire under which Hamas and other militant groups would halt rocket attacks from Gaza, so Israel would call off its air strikes.
On Jun 4, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset the air strikes would continue, and stated: “I would like to make clear that we are not conducting negotiations. We are not committing to any change in our operational tactics.”
On Jun. 5, senior Fatah member Maher Makded discussed the situation, saying, “Hamas initiated indirect talks between Israel and the organization, through the mediation of Qatar, which led to the unspoken Palestinian commitment to end the shooting, in exchange for Israel ceasing bombings and assassinations.”
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the firing of rockets into Israel by Palestinian factions?
Support | 51% |
Oppose | 43% |
Does firing rockets into Israel provide any real benefit to the Palestinians?
Yes | 34% |
No | 66% |
Source: Near East Consulting
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 801 Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, conducted from May 22 to May 24, 2007. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.
