(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Germany say both Israel and the Islamist militant group Hamas are to blame for the current war in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern. 30 per cent of respondents say Hamas is responsible for the situation, 13 per cent blame Israel, and 35 per cent say both parties were at fault.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Germany say both Israel and the Islamist militant group Hamas are to blame for the current war in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern. 30 per cent of respondents say Hamas is responsible for the situation, 13 per cent blame Israel, and 35 per cent say both parties were at fault.
The Islamic Jihad organization launched Qassam rockets into Israel from Gaza almost daily since the Islamic militant and political faction Hamas took control of the territory in June 2007. Israel holds Hamas responsible for the attacks for allowing Islamic Jihad and other groups to act against Israel. On Dec. 21, 2008, a six-month "calm agreement" between Israel and Hamas expired. The launching of rockets into southern Israel resumed.
On Dec. 27, Israel launched a series of aerial attacks against what it deems "Hamas targets" in the Gaza Strip, including the Al Aqsa television station and the Islamic University of Gaza. On Jan. 3, Israeli ground troops entered Gaza. More than 1,300 people have died on the Palestinian side and more than 5,000 have been wounded. Women and children account for more than a third of the Palestinian fatalities, and almost half of the injuries. The Israeli death toll is tabled at 13 people. On Jan. 18, both Israel and Hamas announced separate ceasefires.
Germany is home to Europe’s second-largest Muslim community after France.
Earlier this month, Sadi Arslan, chairman of the Turkish Islamic Union of the Institute of Religion (DITIB) in Germany, said there is no point in playing the blame game at this stage, and declared: "A reciprocal renouncement of acts of violence, provocations and law breaking, as well as dialogue between both parties mediated by the world community, is the best way out of this intolerable situation in Gaza."
Polling Data
Who do you blame for the current situation in Gaza?
|
Hamas |
30% |
|
Israel |
13% |
|
Both sides equally |
35% |
|
Not sure |
22% |
Source: Forsa / Stern
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 German adults, conducted on Jan. 8, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
