July 17, 2006

Abstract: - Many adults in the United States believe their government should not become involved in the current dispute between Israel and its neighbours, according to a poll by SurveyUSA. 55 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should not attempt to negotiate a ceasefire, and 84 per cent reject a military intervention.

- Many adults in the United States believe their government should not become involved in the current dispute between Israel and its neighbours, according to a poll by SurveyUSA. 55 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should not attempt to negotiate a ceasefire, and 84 per cent reject a military intervention.

In January, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. Ismail Haniyeh officially took over as prime minister on Mar. 28. The Israeli government believes Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of 377 citizens in a variety of attacks, which include dozens of suicide bombings.

On Jun. 28, Israel launched a military operation 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, Gilad Shalit, was captured.

On Jul. 12, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed eight Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert called the incident an "act of war" and vowed a "very painful and far-reaching response."

The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. According to Lebanese officials, 55 civilians have been killed. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into the Israeli towns of Nahariya and Safed.

On Jul. 13, U.S. president George W. Bush commented on the situation, saying, "Israel has a right to defend herself. Every nation must defend herself against terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent life. It's a necessary part of the 21st century."

Hezbollah—or Party of God—was founded in 1982. The military and political organization was originally assembled to fight Israel in the southern area of Lebanon. Hezbollah has been implicated in several terrorist attacks, including the 1983 truck bombing that killed 241 American soldiers in Beirut.

Polling Data

Should United States diplomats attempt to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and its neighbours? Or should the United States stay out of it?

Stay out of it	55%
Attempt to negotiate a ceasefire	41%
Not sure	4%

Should the United States military get involved? Or should the United States military stay out of it?

Get involved	11%
Stay out of it	84%
Not sure	5%

Source: SurveyUSA
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,200 American adults, conducted on Jul. 13, 2006. Margin of error is 2.9 per cent.