By Nir Hasson, Haaretz – 23 Dec 2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137041.html

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

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

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.

The survey polled Israelis on other issues. For example, 48 percent support the decision to freeze settlement construction, compared to 42 percent who oppose it. A majority of 57 percent opposed Israeli soldiers’ refusing to evacuate settlements, while 34 percent of Israelis support such refusal.

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.

The survey examined the views of Palestinians ahead of the presidential elections in the Palestinian Authority. If the contest is President Mahmoud Abbas against Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh for the top job in the PA, the incumbent would receive 54 percent of the vote, compared to 38 percent for Haniyeh.