September 14, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Sept. 14, 2003 - A third of Israeli residents would consider killing Yasser Arafat, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 37 per cent of respondents say the Palestinian Authority president should be eliminated.

(CPOD) Sept. 14, 2003 - A third of Israeli residents would consider killing Yasser Arafat, according to a poll by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot. 37 per cent of respondents say the Palestinian Authority president should be eliminated.

After days of relative calm, the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East came to an end late last month. A Palestinian suicide bomb in a Jerusalem bus resulted in 20 fatalities. Israel retaliated by killing Hamas leader Ismail Abu Shanab in a missile strike.

A rift with Arafat forced prime minister Mahmoud Abbas to resign, and the Israeli government has suggested Arafat's expulsion from Israel as a step towards peace in the area. 23 per cent of respondents agree with exiling the Palestinian leader.

Polling Data

What should be done with Yasser Arafat?

He should be killed	37%
He should be expelled from Israel	23%
He should be kept inside compound	21%
He should have freedom of movement	15%

Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews to 501 Israeli residents, conducted on Sept. 11, 2003. Margin of error is 4.4 per cent.