WABC-TV/New York Daily News Poll, October 1985

This survey of New York City residents centers on the 1985 cruise ship hijacking in which one American passenger was killed. Respondents were asked if they approved of the handling of the situation by President Reagan and the Egyptian government, if the United States should attempt to seize the hijackers in order to bring them to justice, and if they thought Egypt knew an American had been killed before agreeing to release the hijackers. Other questions posed include whether the United States should cut aid to Egypt, reduce its ties to Israel, have diplomatic talks with the Palestine Liberation Organization, withhold aid to countries refusing to hand over terrorists, take military action against terrorism in the Middle East, and negotiate for the release of Americans taken hostage. Demographic characteristics of respondents also were recorded.