(BLOG) Poll: Israelis Support Continued Gaza Blockade

"We asked: 'Some claim that despite the international criticism, Israel should continue the blockade of Gaza and only allow the entry of the most essential items so as to keep the pressure on Hamas and prevent attacks from there on Israel. Others claim that the price Israel is paying for the blockade in world public opinion is higher than the risks of removing it.
With which opinion do you agree more?'

A sweeping majority of the Jewish public-78%-sided with the first claim, voiced repeatedly in the past by decisionmakers, that the blockade should be continued so as to pressure Hamas and prevent attacks. Only a minority-17%-thought the price in terms of international public opinion was too high (note that the survey was done before Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement on canceling the limitations Israel had imposed in the past on the entry of goods into Gaza).

In the Arab public the picture is indeed the reverse: only a minority- 23%-agreed with the first, security-oriented claim, while the overwhelming majority-71%-agreed that the price of the blockade for Israel's international image is too steep."