Less than half of Canadians support standing with Israel: poll

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OTTAWA — A huge majority of Canadians think its important to stand with democratic allies against belligerent countries, but Ukraine enjoys broader support in its defence against Russia than Israel does as it defends itself against attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah, a new survey suggests.

A Postmedia-Leger poll recently asked Canadians about their level of support when it comes to different global conflicts with undemocratic countries.

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It shows 76 per cent of those asked said they believe it is important for the country to stand with allies like the United States and those in Europe against threats from China, Iran, Russia and North Korea, while 11 per cent said they did not think it is important.

The poll also breaks down how Canadians feel about the country’s support of specific nations currently defending themselves against attacks from such countries.

Around 71 per cent of the 1,601 people surveyed from July 26 to 28 said they support Canada and its allies standing with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, which President Vladimir Putin launched in early 2022. That is compared to the 13 per cent who said they were opposed.

During his most recent trip in February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed Canada to spending $3 billion in military and other supports towards Ukraine’s war efforts. That followed millions that have already pledged in terms of weapons and other humanitarian aid.

Leger vice-president Andrew Enns says when the overall results are broken down by voting intentions, the findings reveal an “interesting streak” among Conservative supporters, where 15 per cent say they do not believe it is important for Canada and allies to stand against the aggression posed by undemocratic countries.

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It could be signs of a growing faction within the party that has concerns about spending or hold some isolationist beliefs, he said.

On domestic soil, Enns said the summer has been rough for Trudeau, whose leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada has been the subject of near constant attention among Liberals and within the media since its shocking loss of a downtown Toronto byelection in June.

The poll shows 41 per cent of respondents said they would vote Conservative if an election were held today, compared to 23 per cent who would vote Liberal and 20 per cent who would pick the federal New Democrats.

Trudeau has attacked the Conservatives over what he says is waning support for Ukraine, following the party’s vote against modernizing Canada’s free trade deal with Ukraine. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has defended that vote as the party standing against the agreement’s mention of carbon pricing, which both nations pledge to promote.

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While the survey suggests a majority of Canadians agree with the country’s support of Ukraine, it shows only 47 per of respondents said they feel same when it comes to Canada standing with Israel as it defends itself from attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

Another 28 per cent said they opposed Canada supporting Israel, while 25 per cent said they didn’t know.

“I think people are truly torn,” Enns said of Israel’s war. He suggests people may be thinking: “‘I just don’t know what the right answer is here.’”

The results comes as the war in Gaza stretches into its tenth month, which Israel launched in reaction to Hamas militants storming across its southern border last October and killing nearly 1,200 civilians, and taking more than 200 hostage.

The United Nations and other international agencies have also spent months warning of increasing starvation and the spread of disease among those in Gaza.

Concerns about the Israel-Hamas war spreading into a wider regional conflict were raised this week after Israeli defence forces said a Hezbollah rocket from Lebanon was to blame for a strike that killed 12 children in Golan Heights, which it controls. Hezbollah has denied its was responsible.

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In terms of other conflicts, the poll shows 65 per cent of respondents said they support Canada standing with South Korea defending itself against threats from North Korea, as opposed to 13 who answered they were opposed.

Another 62 per cent of those asked say they agree with Canada’s support of Taiwan defending its territory against threats from China, compared to 13 per cent who said they disagreed.

National Post

staylor@postmedia.com

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