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Israelis Divided Over Dealing with Hamas
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in Israel are split over the new administration of the Palestinian Authority, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 48 per cent of respondents believe the Israeli government should talk with the Hamas-led administration, while 43 per cent would break contact.
In February 2005, Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas announced a joint truce after a day-long meeting in Egypt. In August, the Israeli government evacuated close to 8,000 Israeli settlers who lived in 21 Gaza Strip and four northern West Bank settlements under the terms of the "Disengagement Plan." Israel has removed all military personnel from the Gaza Strip, but intends to maintain a security presence in the West Bank.
Last week, Hamas captured a majority of the seats in the election to the Palestinian Legislative Council. 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.
Yesterday, acting Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert set specific guidelines for talks with the Hamas-led Palestinian government, declaring, "We clarified that without a clear abandonment of the path of terror, a recognition of Israel's right to exist in security and peace, Israel won't have any contact with the Palestinians. These principles are accepted by the international community. On this issue, I don't intend to make any compromises."
Polling Data
How should Israel act towards the Palestinian Authority if Hamas controls the government?
Talk with the PA | 48% |
Break contact | 43% |
Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 500 Israeli adults, conducted on Jan. 25, 2006. Margin of error is 4.3 per cent.