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Military Operation in Gaza Splits Views in Israel
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Israeli adults are divided on whether to use force in order to depose the Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll by Shvakim Panorama released by Israel Radio. 41.4 per cent of respondents support a large military operation in Gaza, while 38.7 per cent are opposed.
In addition, 38.7 per cent of respondents call for Israel to put Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas back in power in the Gaza Strip, while 39 per cent disagree.
Fatah candidate Abbas won the January 2005 presidential ballot in the Palestinian Territories with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh officially took over as prime minister in March. 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.
In February, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which set the guidelines for a power-sharing Palestinian administration, headed by Hamas, which would "respect" past peace agreements with Israel. In June, amid a wave of violent clashes between Palestinian supporters of the Hamas and Fatah factions, Hamas militants seized control of Gaza. Abbas issued a decree to form a 12-member emergency government—based in the West Bank—and expelled Hamas from the administration. Fatah member Salam Fayyad was appointed as prime minister by Abbas. Both the Hamas de facto administration based in Gaza and the Fayyad government in the West Bank refuse to acknowledge each other.
Earlier this month, Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak said a major ground offensive in Gaza was "not imminent." Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi declared: "If necessary, we are ready for the possibility of an operation. Until then, we must use all other methods, and act every day and night, in order to provide security."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose a large military operation in the Gaza Strip?
|
Support |
41.4% |
|
Opposed |
38.7% |
|
Other |
19.9% |
Should Israel depose Hamas rule using military force and put Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah movement back in power in the Gaza Strip?
|
Yes |
38.7% |
|
No |
39.0% |
|
Other |
22.3% |
Source: Shvakim Panorama / Israel Radio
Methodology: Interviews with 562 Israeli adults, conducted on Dec. 5, 2007. No margin of error was provided.