(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Canadian adults are split in their assessment of the recent conflict in Gaza, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 36 per cent of respondents believe Israel’s military actions in Gaza were justified, while 41 per cent believe the operation was unjustified.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Canadian adults are split in their assessment of the recent conflict in Gaza, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 36 per cent of respondents believe Israel’s military actions in Gaza were justified, while 41 per cent believe the operation was unjustified.
More than 40 per cent of respondents believe Israel did not try to limit the number of civilian casualties in the conflict and did not exhaust all diplomatic options before launching military action. In addition, 57 per cent of respondents agree with the official position—expressed by Canadian junior foreign minister Peter Kent—that Hamas "bears a terrible responsibility" for the attack and the resulting humanitarian tragedy.
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 that same day, Canadian foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon declared: "Canada stands ready to work with the international community to quickly and effectively help the people of Gaza rebuild their lives. We will also work with our international partners to prevent the continued smuggling of weapons into Gaza."
Polling Data
From what you have seen, read or heard about the recent conflict in the Middle East, do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
|
Agree |
Disagree |
Not sure |
|
|
Israel’s military actions in Gaza were justified |
36% |
41% |
23% |
|
Israel tried to limit the number of civilian casualties in this conflict |
30% |
45% |
24% |
|
Israel exhausted all diplomatic options before launching military action |
29% |
43% |
27% |
Earlier this month, Canadian junior foreign minister Peter Kent declared: "Hamas bears a terrible responsibility for [Israel’s attack] and for the wider deepening humanitarian tragedy. The burden of responsibility is on Hamas to stop its terrorist rocketing of Israel." Do you agree or disagree with the junior minister’s statement?
|
Agree |
57% |
|
Disagree |
18% |
|
Not sure |
24% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,001 Canadian adults, conducted on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Complete Poll (PDF)
