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
57.6% of the respondents were from West Bank,
6.0% from Jerusalem, 36.4% from the Gaza Strip.
39.3% said they live in villages, 16.4% in
refugee camps, 44.3% in towns/cities.
45.6% were male, 54.4% were female.
65.2% were married, 28.8%, single, 3.6% widowed,
1.3% divorced, 1.1% no answer.
The average age of the respondents was 35
years.
The margin of error is 3 percent, with a confidence level
of 95.
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
|
Go to Part Two
