A survey conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Israel Democracy Institute has revealed that 83 per cent of respondents “strongly support” the open fire policy adopted by Israeli soldiers to deal with peaceful protesters on the Gaza border, Quds Press reported on Wednesday. The poll also showed that 71 per cent of Israelis reject any easing of the restrictions imposed by Israel on the residents of Gaza since 2007.

Furthermore, 63 per cent of the respondents of what is known in Israel as the “Peace Index” believe that moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem serves Israeli interests. On a slightly different issue, up to 47 per cent believe that there is no chance of a military confrontation with Iran in the near future, although 40 per cent believe that it is unavoidable.

Two days ago, the Israeli army refused to disclose the rules of engagement regarding the orders to open fire given to soldiers facing the unarmed demonstrators in Gaza. Israeli snipers have killed 50 demonstrators and wounded more than 6,200 others over the past few weeks, the Ministry of Health in Gaza has said.

On 30 March, Palestinians started peaceful demonstrations as part of an activity dubbed the Great March of Return that will culminate on 15 May, the 70th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, when Zionist militias and terrorist gangs forced up to 750,000 Palestinians out of their homes and established the state of Israel.

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