Canadians' Views on the Middle East Crisis

August 2006

Executive Summary

• Canadians are following the crisis in the Middle East closely.
• When asked what they have seen or read over the past week about the crisis, top mentions include civilians dying, including children, and bombings, including the bombing of cities.
• When asked where their sympathies lie, two-thirds of Canadians say they are neutral, while fewer than one in five say they side with either Israel or Lebanon.
• Canadians are also divided when it comes to Israel's response. Similar proportions say the response has been justified as say it has been unjustified.
• That being said, Canadians do not fully support the continuation of Israel's military actions; rather, they support a ceasefire and restraint.
• In terms of the response to the events, a plurality feel the Canadian Government is handling the crisis well, and that its reaction to the situation has been responsive and acceptable. A majority believe that the Government has an obligation to help Canadians who now live in Lebanon.
• There is support for the creation of a multinational force, but interestingly, support decreases somewhat if Canada were to become involved. Those who are supportive of such a force would prefer that it be peacekeeping, rather than peacemaking in nature.
• When it comes to the evacuation efforts, a wide majority agree that Canadians have the right to be evacuated by their Government, regardless of cost or location of the crisis.
• A wide majority also say the Government has acted efficiently in all phases of the evacuation efforts. The findings seem to suggest that in some cases, the expectations of evacuees are seen as somewhat unrealistic.