Palestinians 'pro-kidnapping'
2006-07-09 19:49
Jerusalem - A large majority of Palestinians support the continued abduction of Israeli soldiers despite the high cost that Israeli military
operations have inflicted over one captive conscript, a poll
revealed on Sunday.
The poll, conducted by the Jerusalem Media and Communication
Centre, showed that 77% of respondents supported an
operation two weeks ago in which Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was
snatched by three militant groups - including the armed wing of
the governing Hamas party.
Only 21% said they opposed it.
Furthermore, two thirds of respondents supported a repeat of
such action "as a suitable response within the current political
conditions", compared with 30% who rejected it as harmful to
Palestinian interests.
After Shalit was snatched on June 25, Israel launched a massive
ground and air assault over the Gaza Strip aimed at retrieving him
and curbing Palestinian rocket attacks.
Forty-one Palestinians have so far been killed in the fighting.
Sixty percent of those questioned also supported the
continuation of firing rockets from the Gaza Strip into southern
Israel, with 36% rejecting it.
The poll indicated a slight, three-percent-rise in support for
the Hamas party to 33%.
The poll was based on a representative sampling of 1 197 people
in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and carried a three-percent
margin of error.
- AFP