March 25, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Mar. 25, 2004 - Many Israeli residents back the actions of their government against the Hamas Islamic Resistance Movement, according to a poll by Maariv. 61 per cent of respondents support the assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.

(CPOD) Mar. 25, 2004 - Many Israeli residents back the actions of their government against the Hamas Islamic Resistance Movement, according to a poll by Maariv. 61 per cent of respondents support the assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.

On Mar. 22, Yassin was killed—along with seven other people—in an Israeli missile strike. The paraplegic cleric founded Hamas in 1987 along with Abdel Aziz Rantisi. The Israeli government believes the organization is directly responsible for the deaths of 377 citizens in a variety of attacks, which include dozens of suicide bombings.

Yesterday, Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said that his organization has the right to "target the heads of Zionist terrorism in the same way that they have been targeting the symbols of resistance." 55 per cent of respondents believe terrorist acts will increase in Israel as a result of Yassin's assassination.

Israelis are split over how to deal with Yasser Arafat. 43 per cent of respondents believe their government should try to kill the Palestinian Authority president.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin?

Support	61%
Oppose	21%

Do you think terrorist acts will increase in Israel as a result of Yassin's assassination?

Attacks will increase	55%
No change	36%
Attacks will decrease	9%

Do you think Israel should try to assassinate Yasser Arafat?

Yes	43%
No	38%

Source: Maariv
Methodology: Interviews to 504 adult Israelis, conducted on Mar. 22, 2004. Margin of error is 4.2 per cent.