(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in France think both Israel and the militant Palestinian organization Hamas are to blame for the recent violence in Gaza, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 23 per cent of respondents believe Hamas is mostly responsible for the conflict, 18 per cent say the same of Israel, and 28 per cent think the two parties are equally to blame.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in France think both Israel and the militant Palestinian organization Hamas are to blame for the recent violence in Gaza, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 23 per cent of respondents believe Hamas is mostly responsible for the conflict, 18 per cent say the same of Israel, and 28 per cent think the two parties are equally to blame.
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 died on the Palestinian side and more than 5,000 were 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.
On Jan. 19, six European leaders—British prime minister Gordon Brown, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, Spanish president Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy—promised to prevent Hamas from rearming after this conflict. Sarkozy went on to say that the European Union (EU) would "never harm" Israel’s security.
Polling Data
As you know, there is a conflict going on between the Israeli army and Hamas in Gaza. Who do you think is mainly responsible for the conflict?
|
Hamas |
23% |
|
Israel |
18% |
|
Both equally |
28% |
|
Not sure |
31% |
Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 958 French adults, conducted on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
