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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Israelis Reject Prisoner Swap for Shalit
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Israel believe their government should not a agree to release Palestinians imprisoned for killing Israelis as a condition for the return of Gilad Shalit, according to a poll by Teleseker published in Maariv. 67 per cent of respondents oppose this proposal.
On Jun. 28, 2006, Israel launched an operation in the Palestinian Territories in response to a joint raid carried out by Palestinian militants on a military post outside of the Gaza Strip, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed, and one more, Shalit, was captured. Shalit remains captive to this day.
On Dec. 24, Hamas lawmaker Mushier al-Massri reiterated the group’s position, saying, "An exchange of prisoners is the only option and Hamas’ conditions in this regard are clear."
In September 2006, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas revealed that Shalit’s liberation might involve the release of Marwan Barghouti, a popular leader who was convicted in an Israeli court and sentenced to five life terms in prison for his alleged involvement in deadly attacks by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Barghouti is considered a political prisoner by most Palestinians.
According to the Israeli military, Israel is holding more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners. About 5,900 people have been convicted of security offences, and more than 2,000 have not yet been tried. An additional 800 people are being held without charge.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the release of Palestinians imprisoned for killing Israelis as a condition for the return of Gilad Shalit?
|
Support |
33% |
|
Oppose |
67% |
Source: Teleseker / Maariv
Methodology: Interviews with 400 Israeli adults, conducted on Dec. 21, 2007. Margin of error is 4.9 per cent.