JMCC Public Opinion Poll No. 36 - Part I
On Palestinian Attitudes Towards Final Status Issues and Women and Legislation in Palestine
March 2000

Introduction

This public opinion poll deals specifically with two issues. The first is on the political situation and opinions concerning final status issues and negotiations. This includes attitudes towards the Palestinian state, refugees and right of return, settlement and borders. The second issue deals with women issues particularly on women and law and legislation. This includes opinions current discussions and debates within the Palestinian society on favoring civil laws or Islamic shari'a laws.


Methodology

A random sample of 1200 people over the age of 18 were interviewed face-to-face throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip on 23, 24 March 2000. The interviews were conducted in randomly selected homes, and the subjects inside each home were also selected randomly according to Kish tables. The interviews were conducted in 59 sampling points chosen randomly according to population.

In the West Bank, 762 people were surveyed from the following areas: Jenin: Jenin, Tubas, Jenin refugee camp, al-Yamoun, Ya'abd, Kufr Rai', Kufr Dan, 'Arabeh, Zababdeh, Fahmeh. Nablus: Nablus, Salfit, 'Asira al-Shamalia, Hiwara, Beit Dajan, Haris, 'Ain Beit-Elma refugee camp, 'Asira al-Qiblia, Beit Fureek. Tulkarem: Tulkarem Dhinabeh, Anabta, Ateel, Tulkarem refugee camp. Qalqilia: Qalqilia and Azzoun. Hebron: Hebron, Yatta, a-Dhahiria, Bani Na'im, Beit Ummar, Tarqoumia, a-Shyoukh, Sa'eer, Aroub refugee camp. Bethlehem: Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Bateer, 'Azza refugee camp, al-Khader. Jericho: Jericho and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Ramallah & Jerusalem: al-Bireh, al-'Amari refugee camp, Ramallah, Beitounia, Beit Rima, al-Mazraq al-Sharqia, Beit-Liqia, al-Ram, al-Dahieh, Qalandia refugee camp, Shufat, Beit Hanina, Shufat refugee camp, Old City, Wadi al-Joz, Sheikh Jarrah, Ras al-Amod.

In the Gaza Strip, 438 people were surveyed from: Gaza North: Jabalia refugee camp, Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. Gaza: Sheikh Radwan, a-Darji, a-Tufah, Sabra, a-Zeitoon, a-Nasser, a-Shujaeih, a-Rimal north and south and Shati refugee camp. Deir al- Balah: Nusseirat refugee camp, Deir al-Balah refugee camp, Deir al- Balah. Khan Younis: 'Abssan al-Saghira, Khan Younis refugee camp, Khan Younis, Bani Suheila. Rafah: Rafah, Rafah refugee camp, Tal al-Sultan refugee camp. 

Sample Distribution
Occupation respondents
Students 10.7% laborers 11.3% Farmers/fishermen 2.5%
Craftsmen 2.5% Businessmen/private business 8.5%
Employees e.g. secretaries/municipal employees/teachers/nurses 17.4%
Professionals - e.g. doctors/lawyers/ pharmacists/engineers 2.2%
Housewives, unemployed and retired 44.9%

Results

Q.1 Have you used the Shari'a or ecclesiastical family courts in the last year?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
18.8
15.2
24.9 
No
80.3
83.3
75.1
No answer
0.9
1.5
0.0

Q.2 If yes, for what purposes?*
 
 
 Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
n=225
n=116
n=109
Marriage
45.8
38.8
53.2
Dowry claims
2.2
0.9
3.7
Maintenance
1.8
1.7
1.8
Divorce (any kind)
8.0
10.3
5.5
Separation (any kind)
0.9
0.9
0.9
Child custody
3.6
4.3
2.8
Inheritance
17.8
25.0
10.1
Marriage and Divorce (any kind)
3.6
0.9
6.4
Marriage and inheritance
4.9
5.2
4.6
Divorce and Child custody
1.3
1.7
0.9
Other 
4.8
3.4
5.5
No answer
5.3
6.9
4.6
* This question was asked to those who answered "yes" in question no. 1

Q.3 Were you satisfied with the courts treatment of the case?*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 225
n=116
n=109
No satisfied 
71.3
31.9
20.3 
Satisfied 
26.1
65.5
77.0
No answer
2.6
2.6
2.7
* This question was asked to those who answered "yes" in question no. 1

Q.4 If so, Why?*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n=80
n=50
n=30
It was not fair to the woman involved
7.5
8.0
 6.7
It was not fair to the man involved
3.8
6.0
0.0
The court did not make a decision 
33.8
32.0
36.7
The court did not work professionally
27.5
28.0
26.7
Other
9.9
14.0
3.3
No answer
17.5
12.0
26.6
* This question was asked to those who answered "yes" in question no. 1, and to those who answered "not satisfied"  in question no. 3

Q.5 Were you satisfied with the court's ability to enforce judgements?*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 225
n=116
n=109
No satisfied
30.2
38.8
21.1 
Satisfied
63.5
56.1
71.6
No answer
6.3
5.1
7.3
* This question was asked to those who answered "yes" in question no.1

Q.6 According to your direct or indirect knowledge, do the Shari'a [or ecclesiastical] courts protect and support women's right?*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 964
n=635
n=329
Yes
66.9
65.4
 69.9
No
22.2
21.1
23.7
No answer
11.1
13.5
6.4
* This question was asked to those who answered "no" in question no. 1

Q.7 According to your direct and indirect knowlege, do the Shari'a courts [or ecclesiastical] protect and support men's rights?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
72.8
74.5
69.6 
No
17.0
14.5
21.7
No answer
10.2
11.0
8.7

Q.8 According to your direct and indirect knowledge, do the Sharia'a courts [or ecclesiastical] protect and support children's rights?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
66.1
65.1
67.8 
No
19.5
19.0
20.3
No answer
14.4
15.9
11.9

Q.9 Currently, Muslim Palestinians are subject to two family laws, one in the West Bank and one in Gaza. Do you think there is a need for a unified Palestinian family law?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
75.1
76.8
72.1 
No
14.8
10.1
23.1
No answer
10.1
13.1
4.8

Q.10 Do you think family law should respond to changes and new needs in Palestinian society?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
78.9
77.2
82.0 
No
12.7
12.7
12.5
No answer
8.4
10.1
5.5

Q.11 Do you favor more, the same of less rights for women than the family law currently in force in your place of residence?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Women should be given more rights
49.2
51.7
 44.7
Women should be given less rights
5.0
3.8
7.3
Current rights are enough
39.8
38.8
41.4
No answer
6.0
5.7
6.6

Q.12 Who do you think should be mainly responsible for developing a unified Palestinian family law?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Palestinian Legislative Coucil
16.7
15.2
19.2 
Shari'a court judges only
26.2
27.8
23.3
The president
12.1
13.5
9.6
The society should vote
33.4
30.1
39.3
The current law shouldn't be changed 
3.3
3.7
2.5
The Holy Koran
1.2
0.8
1.8
Others
0.8
0.8
1.3
No answer
6.3
8.1
3.0

Q.13 Under which circumstances, do you think women should be given the right to be divorced or legally separated from their husband?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
1- Husband has abandoned family
1.2
1.7
 0.2
2- Husband physically abuses wife
1.1
1.4
0.5
3- Husband physically abuses children
0.3
0.4
0.0
4- Husband has a sexual disease
0.8
1.2
0.0
5- Husband is mentally ill
1.6
1.7
1.4
6- Husband is an collaborator
3.2
2.6
4.1
7- If he marries another woman
1.6
2.5
0.0
8- Women should'nt be given the right to be divorced or legally separated in any cirumstances
4.2
4.1
4.3
5+6
5.8
5.6
5.9
1+2+3+4+5+6+7
10.6
13.3
5.9
4+5+6
3.0
2.5
3.9
1+4+5+6
3.3
3.9
2.3
1+6
3.8
3.5
4.3
1+2+3+4+5+6
4.9
5.2
4.3
1+2+5+6
3.2
3.8
2.1
1+5+6
3.7
2.8
5.3
1+2+3+5+6
3.1
2.6
3.9
2+5+6
2.1
0.7
4.6
2+6
2.8
3.4
1.6
2+3+4+5+6
1.8
2.0
1.4
4+5
1.4
1.2
1.8
1+2+5
1.3
1.7
0.7
1+2+4+5
1.3
1.4
0.9
1+2+3
1.5
2.0
0.7
3+5+6
1.4
1.4
1.4
1+2+4+5+6
1.8
0.7
3.7
1+2+4+5+6+7
1.3
1.6
0.9
1+5
1.9
2.0
1.8
1+2+4+5+6
1.3
0.0
3.4
1+2+6
1.8
1.6
2.1
2+3+4+6
1.3
1.8
0.2
2+5
1.0
1.0
0.9
1+2+3+4+5
1.0
1.2
0.7
1+4+6
1.0
0.0
2.7
Others
16.8
15.9
20.5
No answer
1.8
2.0
1.6

Q.14 Recently in egypt a law passed enabling women to ask for divore if they waive their financial rights. Would you like to see a similar law passed in Palestine?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
I agree
32.3
35.6
26.7 
Disagree
60.4
55.4
69.2
No answer
7.3
9.0
4.1

Q.14-1 If such law is enabled in paletine Why do you support it?*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 388
n=271
n=117
Enables women to ask for divorce 
84.0
88.6
 73.5
Women should waive her financial rights 
11.6
8.1
19.7
No answer
4.4
3.3
6.8
* This question was asked to those who answered "agree" in question no. 14.

Q.14-2 Do you oppose this law becase:*
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 725
n=422
n=303
Enables women to ask for divorce
50.3
49.3
51.8
Women should waive her financial rights 
40.6
41.2
39.6
No answer
9.1
9.5
8.6
* This question was asked to those who answered "disagree" in question no. 14

Q.15 As you know, Palestinian males and femaled of 18 years and abve have the right in choosing their spouse, do you think:
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Both (18 years old) males and females should have equal level of freedom in choosing their spouses
49.2
49.5
 48.8
Male should have more freedom in choosing their spouses than females
10.3
10.0
11.0
Females should have more freedom in choosing their husbands than males
4.7
4.8
4.3
The freedom of both (sexes) should be limited
34.0
34.3
33.6
No answer
1.8
1.4
2.3

Q.16 Do you think Palestinian young men under eighteen are mature enough to independently choose their spouses?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
13.6
11.8
16.7 
No
84.8
86.1
82.4
No answer
1.6
2.1
0.9

Q.17 Do you think Palestinian young women under seventeen are mature enough to independently choose their spouses?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
8.9
9.8
 7.3
No
89.3
88.5
90.6
No answer
1.8
1.7
2.1

Q.18 Should the age of marriage for young women and men be raised to 18?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
48.7
58.1
 84.0
No
11.8
11.8
11.6
No answer
3.5
3.1
4.4

Q.19 Do you think the law can do more to ensure that a husband's income is spent for family welfare?
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
82.8
85.7
77.6 
No
11.5
8.8
16.5
No answer
5.7
5.5
5.9

Q.20 Do you think women should contribute to family income, if possible?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
81.0
82.7
78.0 
No
16.3
15.2
18.3
No answer
2.7
2.1
3.7

Q. 21 For couples who prefer civil law, without affecting other peoples rights to use Shari'a courts?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Yes
17.1
17.5
16.7 
No
56.7
55.6
58.4
No answer
26.2
26.9
24.9

Q. 22 What are the most important characteristics for a Palestinian state in your opinion: Independent, Democratic, Islamic, Nationalist, or secular?

First Important Characteristics
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Independent
35.5
34.4
 37.5
Democratic
12.3
13.4
10.5
Islamic
43.4
42.9
44.3
Nationalist
3.7
3.4
4.1
Secular
1.8
1.7
1.8
No answer
3.3
4.2
1.8

Second Important Characteristics
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Independent
33.3
34.5
30.6
Democratic
32.8
30.8
36.1
Islamic
18.6
17.2
21.2
Nationalist
7.6
8.2
6.6
Secular
1.7
1.7
1.6
No answer
6.3
7.6
3.9

Third Important Characteristics
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Independent
19.2
18.8
20.0
Democratic
28.8
27.0
32.0
Islamic
15.2
15.6
14.6
Nationalist
22.2
21.1
24.0
Secular
3.3
3.9
2.1
No answer
11.3
13.6
7.3

Q.23  Beginning with final status issues, what do you think is more important for Palestiians reaching a fair solution to Jerusalem's issue or reaching a fair solution to the settlement issue?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Jerusalem issue
44.4
46.9
 40.2
Settement issue
7.2
8.4
5.0
Both are equally important
45.0
14.3
51.6
I don't know
1.7
1.4
2.1
No answer
1.7
2.0
1.1

Q.24 What is more important reaching a fair solution to Jerusalem's issue or reaching a fair solution to refugees issue?
 
 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Jerusalem issue
33.0
35.6
28.5
Refugees  issue
12.3
14.0
9.1
Both are equally important
52.3
47.8
60.3
I don't know
0.0
0.0
0.0
No answer
2.4
2.6
2.1

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