March 11, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel want their government to continue to fight Hamas militarily, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Israel Radio. 54 per cent of respondents prefer to continue the war, while 36 per cent think the government should reach a ceasefire deal.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Israel want their government to continue to fight Hamas militarily, according to a poll by Maagar Mochot released by Israel Radio. 54 per cent of respondents prefer to continue the war, while 36 per cent think the government should reach a ceasefire deal.

Fatah candidate Mahmoud 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 2007, 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.

In November 2007, Abbas and leaders from the United States, Israel and several Arab countries attended an international conference on Middle East affairs in Annapolis, Maryland. The meeting was brokered by United States president George W. Bush. On Nov. 27, Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert announced they would work towards having a peace treaty signed by the end of 2008, which would include the creation of a Palestinian state.

The Islamic Jihad organization has been launching Qassam rockets into Israel from Gaza almost daily since Hamas took control of the territory. Israel holds Hamas responsible for the attacks for allowing the Islamic Jihad and other groups to act against Israel. In January, Israel completely sealed off its borders with the Gaza Strip. Over the past 10 days, about 130 Palestinians have died in raids by Israeli forces in Gaza.

On Mar. 6, a gunman opened fire inside the Mercaz Harav rabbinical seminary in Jerusalem, killing eight students. The perpetrator was gunned down. Hamas issued a communiqué, saying the group "blesses the (Jerusalem) operation" and adding, "It will not be the last." On Mar. 7, during a pro-Hamas rally in Gaza, loudspeakers broadcasted the following statement: "Hamas announces responsibility for the mortal attack."

Polling Data

What do you prefer the Government of Israel do: reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas or continue the war against it?

Deal	36%
War	54%
Other replies	10%

Source: Maagar Mochot / Israel Radio
Methodology: Interviews with 550 Israeli adults, conducted on Mar. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.