More than two-fifths of people in France (42 %) believe the press should avoid publishing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed and half agree with restricting freedom of speech online. The French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche published the results of a survey it conducted on the issue today.
When asked to respond to the statement that "some Muslims feel attacked or injured when caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed are published", 57 % of respondents said such reactions should be ignored and that publication of such images should continue. As many as 81 % of respondents agree with stripping persons of French citizenship should they also have citizenship of another state and have been convicted of committing terrorism on French soil.
Of those surveyed, 68 % favor banning the return to France of citizens suspected of participating in fighting in other countries or regions controlled by terrorist groups. Similarly, 68 % favor banning people suspected of intending to travel to such areas from leaving the country.
Fully 57 % of respondents oppose France getting involved in military interventions in restive countries such as Libya, Syria and Yemen. Similarly, 63 % oppose intensifying French military operations in Iraq, as French President François Hollande indicated he would do several days ago.
The survey was performed by telephone between 16 and 17 January. The sample was comprised of 1 003 people.
