Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Poll shows 52% of Israelis ready to pay 'any price' for Shalit

A majority of Israelis believe "any price" must be paid to restore prisoners in enemy hands to their families.

A survey carried out by the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Public Opinion in Ramallah showed that 52 percent of Israelis support this view.

However, 35 percent of Israelis maintained that terrorists responsible for the deaths of Israelis should not be released.

Some 58 percent also support the release of Arab Israelis in exchange for Gilad Shalit.

The survey polled Israelis on other issues. For example, 49 percent support the decision to freeze settlement construction, compared to 42 percent who oppose it.

The survey also showed that Israelis believe the policies of U.S. President Barack Obama are not supportive of Israel. Only 13 percent said that Obama is not hostile to Israel. On the other hand, 69 percent of Palestinians said they feel Obama supports Israel.