Dutch Show Support for Palestinians
Most Dutch favor an independent state for the Palestinians, and many think their government must be more critical of Israel, a poll published Saturday showed.
The poll of 660 adults indicated that 52% favor a Palestinian state while 12% believe that Israel should continue to control the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The rest had no opinion.
About 43% said the Netherlands, long a strong supporter of Israel, should increase pressure to stop harsh Israeli army measures in the occupied territories.
Another 44% said Dutch leaders should not take sides in the conflict and 4% said the Netherlands must squarely back the Jewish State.
About 72% of those polled said Israeli army measures to quell a 10-week-old Palestinain uprising in the territories have been too harsh.
Another 8% said the Israeli army was taking appropriate measures in clashes which have left 57 Palestinians dead and hundreds wounded.
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