Israeli Democracy Defies Being Pigeonholed

With the passing of its Nation-State Law this year, the issue of Israel as a democracy continues to be a topic of debate, and at times becomes even more pointed.

But last week we were reminded that for all the debate and the claims that Israel was revealing its fascist colors, Israeli democracy is alive and well:

Palestinians Dislike Hamas -- But Not Their Methods

According to a Pew Research Poll, Palestinian Opinion of Hamas Declines

Overall, most people surveyed have an unfavorable impression of Hamas, a militant Palestinian organization that is in control of the Gaza Strip and designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. This includes people who live under its rule.

More than half in the Palestinian territories (53%) have an unfavorable view of Hamas, with only about a third (35%) expressing positive views. Negative views are higher in the Hamas-led Gaza Strip (63%), up from 54% in 2013. In the Fatah-led West Bank, 47% have an unfavorable opinion of Hamas.

Poll: Islamists Are The Biggest Terrorist Threat To The US

The following by Daniel Pipes is reposted here with permission:

Islamists the Biggest Terror Threat to U.S.: Poll

by Daniel Pipes
June 28, 2013
Cross-posted from National Review Online, The Corner

A recent opinion survey asked a sampling of Americans: "Which is a bigger terrorist threat to the United States today – radical Muslims, the Tea Party, local militia groups, the Occupy Wall Street movement, or other religious or political extremists?"

In reply, 51 percent of likely voters deemed Islamists the greatest terrorist threat, with Obama opponents weighing in at 75 percent and his supporters at 29 percent. In the words of the pollster, "Conservatives overwhelmingly see radical Muslims as the greater terror threat. Liberals are fairly evenly divided between radical Muslims and the Tea Party."

Poll: Democrats' Plans For Iraq Have Americans Worried

According to Reuters, Bush's approval rating is down to 31% and huge majorities approve of the priorities the Democrats have set for the legislature.

However, when it comes to Iraq--the majority of Americans are worried about what the Democrats might do.

While a bare majority of 51 percent called the Democrats' victory "a good thing," even more said they were concerned about some of the actions a Democratic Congress might take, including 78 percent who were somewhat or very concerned that it would seek too hasty a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Another 69 percent said they were concerned that the new Congress would keep the administration "from doing what is necessary to combat terrorism," and two-thirds said they were concerned it would spend too much time investigating the administration and Republican scandals.

Technorati Tag: Democrats and Iraq and Poll.