Polls & Research

Some Americans Urge for Lebanon Ceasefire

- Adults in the United States are split on a possible solution to the conflict in the Middle East, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 43 per cent of respondents think Israel should agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible, while 39 per cent believe the military attacks should continue until Hezbollah can no longer launch attacks.

On Jul. 12, Hezbollah militants based in Lebanon killed three Israeli soldiers and captured two more in a cross-border attack. The Israeli armed forces launched air strikes inside Lebanese territory to fight Hezbollah, targeting the country's infrastructure and its airport. Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into several Israeli towns. 35 per cent of respondents think Israel's response has been correct, 31 per cent say it went too far, and 14 per cent believe it was too measured.

On Jul. 21, U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice ruled out a quick truce before travelling to the Middle East, saying, "An immediate ceasefire without political conditions does not make sense."

Yesterday in his weekly radio address, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the situation, saying, "This is a difficult and trying time for the people of Lebanon. Hezbollah's practice of hiding rockets in civilian neighbourhoods, and its efforts to undermine the democratically elected government have shown it to be no friend of Lebanon. By its actions, Hezbollah has jeopardized Lebanon's tremendous advances and betrayed the Lebanese people."

Polling Data

Which of the following statements comes closer to your view of what Israel should do?

Do you think Israel's military reaction to the situation in the Middle East has gone too far, not gone far enough, or been about right?