(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The government’s decision to suspend its military mission in Gaza did not sit well with many voters in Israel, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Channel 2. 50 per cent of respondents oppose the ceasefire, and 55 per cent believe the operation will not bring an end to the launching of Qassam rockets from Gaza.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The government’s decision to suspend its military mission in Gaza did not sit well with many voters in Israel, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Channel 2. 50 per cent of respondents oppose the ceasefire, and 55 per cent believe the operation will not bring an end to the launching of Qassam rockets from Gaza.
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.
Yesterday, Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "While there things that Hamas wants to obtain from Israel, there is a human being that we want back—Gilad Shalit. The two matters are mutually dependent; it is impossible to separate them and we cannot move forward on any other issue until we make progress on the return of Gilad Shalit."
On Jun. 28, 2006, Israel launched an operation in the Palestinian Territories in response to a joint raid carried out by Palestinian militants on a military post outside of the Gaza Strip, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed, and one more, Shalit, was captured. Shalit remains captive to this day. For months, Hamas has stated that Shalit will only be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the ceasefire in Gaza that was presented yesterday by the prime minister and minister of defense?
|
Support |
36% |
|
Oppose |
50% |
|
Other replies |
14% |
Will the operation in Gaza bring an end to the firing and bring quiet to the South?
|
Yes |
27% |
|
No |
55% |
|
Other replies |
18% |
Source: Maagar Mochot / Channel 2
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 512 Israeli adults, conducted on Jan. 18, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.
