Israel's Gaza pullout support drops sharply
Israeli support for this summer’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip has dropped by 16%, with just more than half of Israelis backing the pullout, according to an opinion poll published today.
Friday’s Dahaf poll published in the Yediot Ahronot newspaper is consistent with a recent trend showing support for the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements is plunging, while opposition is increasing.
The poll of 501 people was taken yesterday after the Supreme Court overwhelmingly ruled the pullout is legal. The survey found 53% of respondents support the withdrawal, compared to 69% in a similar poll taken in February. Opposition to the pullout rose to 38% from a previous rate of 27%.
The poll has a 4.4% margin of error.
Pullout opponents are latching onto the recent poll findings. They say the drop in public support for the withdrawal will pressure the government to call off the pullout.
But Prime Minister Ariel Sharon insisted this week he would go ahead as planned.
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