(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Almost three quarters of people in Israel are against lifting their country’s current blockade of Gaza, according to a poll by New Wave Research published in Yisrael Hayom. 73 per cent of respondents would not end the blockade.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Almost three quarters of people in Israel are against lifting their country’s current blockade of Gaza, according to a poll by New Wave Research published in Yisrael Hayom. 73 per cent of respondents would not end the blockade.
In February 2007, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which set the guidelines for a power-sharing administration of the Palestinian Authority, headed by Hamas. In June, amid a wave of violent clashes between Hamas and Fatah factions, Hamas militants seized control of Gaza.
In January 2008, Israel completely sealed off its borders with Gaza. This followed insistent launching of rockets into Israel by Hamas. The border closure has left Gaza isolated. It is difficult to receive cargo of all types, including humanitarian aid.
On May 31, Israel raided a flotilla of six ships occupied mostly by Turkish, pro-Palestinian citizens who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Nine people died in the confrontation, and dozens more were detained and later deported by Israel. The raid—which will be subject to various investigations—sparked widespread condemnation of Israel and brought the Gaza blockade under the spotlight.
Israeli lawmakers are currently studying the possibility of easing the blockade, by allowing more products to come into Gaza.
On Jun. 16, European Union (EU) high representative for foreign policy Catherine Ashton declared: "The suffering of Gaza doesn’t make Israel more secure. (…) This cannot go on, things must change."
Polling Data
Should the blockade on Gaza be lifted?
|
Yes
|
16%
|
|
No
|
73%
|
|
Not sure
|
11%
|
Source: New Wave Research / Yisrael Hayom
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 561 adult Israeli Jews, conducted on Jun. 9, 2010. Margin of error is 4 per cent.
