Introduction
-
The majority of Palestinians (70.1%) support the Intifada
while 17.8% opposed the continuation of the Intifada. Moreover, 54.5% of
those interviewed believe in the need to have both popular and military
forms of the Intifada, while 15.5% supported the only popular form of the
Intifada and 18.5% only supported the military form of the Intifada.
-
A slight majority (52%) believe that the best means to achieve
the national goals is through having both the Intifada and the negotiations
continue at the same time, while 28.4% view that the national interest
stipulates the continuation of the Intifada only, but 21.1% saw the national
interest is only in the continuation of the negotiations.
-
The poll also showed a notable increase in the support of
military and suicide operations. A large majority believes that military
operations constitute an appropriate response under the current political
conditions compared with 35.7% in a poll conducted in March 1999. Another
significant change lies in the increasing support to suicide operations;
66.2% of the Palestinian people believe that the suicide operations are
an appropriate response under the current conditions compared with 26.1%
in March 1999.
-
As for the impact of the Intifada on the Palestinian public
opinion regarding the Oslo Accords, the level of support for the Oslo Accords
went down to its lowest mark (39%) compared with 57.9% in June 2000, and
64.5% in May 2000, and 74.9% in December 1996, where it was the highest.
-
The most striking result is the change in the level of popular
trust in the Palestinian political and religious figures; the ratio of
those who trust President Arafat went down the most since it reached only
25.7% in this poll compared with 31.8% in June 2000 while the level of
trust in Sheikh Yaseen rose to 12.2% from 6.1% in June 2000. Moreover,
the name of Marwan Barghouthi appears for the first time as the most trusted
Palestinian figure who gained a percentage of 2.6% while Dr. Haidar Abdul
Shafi got 3.6% and Saeb Erekat 4.2%. However, the percentage of Palestinians
who do not trust any Palestinian figures remained unchanged at 31.9%.
-
Regarding the level of trust in the political and religious
factions, Fateh Movement maintained the same level of confidence at 32.1%
compared with 34.5% in June 2000 while the level of support for Hamas Movement
rose to 19.2% compared with 12% in June 2000. Those who do not trust any
Palestinian political or religious faction rose to 37.3% compared with
28.1% in June 2000.
-
Regarding the performance of the PNA, 55.5% said they are
satisfied with the Authority’s performance compared with 60.7% in June
2000 and 71.4% in November 1997 which was the highest.
-
The poll showed that the majority of the Palestinian people
are dissatisfied with the level of Arab solidarity with the Intifada; 60.5%
of the sample said they are not satisfied with the Arab solidarity while
39% said they are satisfied.
-
With regards to the upcoming Israeli elections, the poll
showed that both candidates Barak and Sharon are bad in the eyes of the
majority of the sample; only 4.1% said they prefer a government under the
leadership of Sharon while 6.6% prefer a government to be headed by Barak.
The overwhelming majority (86%) said there is no difference between both
candidates; this figure constitutes a significant increase in the percentage
of Palestinians who see no difference between the Labor and Likud Parties
in Israel when compared with 50.2% in March 1999.
-
Regarding the US mediation role in the peace process, an
overwhelming majority (95.1%) believe that the US is biased towards Israel
while only 3.1% believe the US is neutral.
Methodology
A random sample of 1199 people over the age of 18 were
interviewed face-to-face throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip on 21,22,23,24
December 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 60 sampling points chosen
randomly according to population.
In the West Bank, 759 people were surveyed
from the following areas: Jenin: Jenin, Jenin refugee camp,
Kufr Ra’ee, ‘Arrabeh, Yabad, a-Zababdeh, Maythaloun, Aqaba, Sanour. Nablus:
Nablus, Burqa, Beit Fureek, Haris, Sabastia, Balata refugee camp, Bidia,
Boureen. Tulkarem: Tulkarem, Rameen, Qalqilia, Tulkarem refugee
camp, Beit Leed, Jayyous. Hebron: Hebron, Doura, Al-Fawwar refugee
camp, Beit Ummar, a-Tafuh, Yatta, Halhoul, al-Daharia. Bethlehem: Bethlehem,
Za’atara, Artas, Beit Sahour, Beit Ta’mar, Deiheshe refugee camp. Jericho:
Jericho,
Aqbet Jaber. Ramallah & al-Bireh: al-Bireh, Ramallah, Beir Zeit,
al-Mazra al-Sharqia, Kharbatha Bani Harith, al-Amari refugee camp. Jerusalem:
a-Ram,
Kufr ‘Aqab, Old City, Beit Hanina, Shufat, al-I’issawia, Jabal al-Mukaber,
Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah, Sawahreh.
In the Gaza Strip, 440 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, Saftawi, a-Sha’af, Sheikh ‘Ajleen. Deir al- Balah: al-bureij
refugee camp, Deir al Balah, refugee camp, al-Maghazi refugee camp. Khan
Younis: Khan younis, Khan Younis refugee camp, Bani Suheila, Absan
al-Saghira, Absan al-Kabira, al-Qarara. Rafah: Rafah, Rafah refugee
camp and Tal al-Sultan refugee camp.
The margin of error is 3 percent, with a confidence level
of 95.
51.6% of the respondents were from West Bank,
11.7% from Jerusalem, 36.7% from the Gaza Strip.
30.5% said they live in villages, 16.7% in refugee camps,
52.8% in towns/cities.
51.1% were male, 48.9% were female.
The average age of the respondents was 34 years.
Occupation respondents
Students 10.6% laborers 13.3%
Farmers/fishermen 2.6%
Craftsmen 1.8% Businessmen/private business 7.7%
Employees e.g. secretaries/municipal employees/teachers/nurses
19.2%
Professionals - e.g. doctors/lawyers/ pharmacists/engineers
1.5%
Housewives 34.9%, unemployed and retired 7.6%
No answer 0.8%
Results
Q. 1 Do you support or oppose the continuation of the
current Palestinian Intifada?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Support |
70.1
|
66.8
|
75.9
|
| Oppose |
17.8
|
18.3
|
16.8
|
| I don't know |
8.9
|
10.7
|
5.9
|
| No answer |
3.2
|
4.2
|
1.4
|
Q.2 The current Intifada includes popular characteristics
such as the demonstrations and military characteristics. In your opinion,
are you with the continuation of a popular or military Intifada or both
of them together?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| I am with the continuation of a popular resistance Intifada |
15.5
|
20.0
|
7.7
|
| Iam with the continuation of a military resistance Intifada |
18.5
|
16.3
|
22.3
|
| I am with both a popular and military resistance Intifada |
54.5
|
49.5
|
63.0
|
| I don't know |
8.0
|
10.0
|
4.5
|
| No answer |
3.5
|
4.2
|
2.5
|
Q.3 Some believe that the Intifada is the best path at
achieve our national goals and end the occupation, others believe that
the negotiations are the best way to do so. There are some who believe
that the continuation of the Intifada and negotiations together is the
method to achieve Palestinian national goals. What in your opinion is the
best way to achieve Palestinian national goals?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Only the Intifada |
28.4
|
24.2
|
35.7
|
| Only negotiations |
12.1
|
14.2
|
8.4
|
| Intifada and negotiations together |
52.0
|
53.1
|
50.2
|
| I don’t know |
5.3
|
5.8
|
4.5
|
| No answer |
2.2
|
2.7
|
1.2
|
Q.4 Do you support the resumption of military operations
against Israeli targets as a suitable response within the current political
conditions, or do you reject it and find it harmful to Palestinian national
interests?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| I see it as suitable response within the current political
conditions |
72.1
|
66.9
|
80.9
|
| I oppose it and see it as harmful to Palestinian national
interests |
16.8
|
19.2
|
12.7
|
| I don’t know |
7.4
|
8.6
|
5.5
|
| No answer |
3.7
|
5.3
|
0.9
|
Q.5 What about suicide operations? Do you see them as
a suitable response within the current political conditions or do you oppose
them and see them harmful to national interests?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| I see them suitable response within the current political
conditions |
66.2
|
61.5
|
74.3
|
| I oppose them and see it as harmful to Palestinian national
interests |
22.2
|
24.5
|
18.2
|
| I don’t know |
7.8
|
9.0
|
5.9
|
| No answer |
3.8
|
5.0
|
1.6
|
Q.6 How satisfied are you with Arab solidarity with the
Intifada. Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat
dissatisfied, or totally dissatisfied?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Very satisfied |
7.1
|
5.7
|
9.5
|
| Somewhat satisfied |
31.9
|
26.1
|
41.8
|
| Somewhat dissatisfied |
27.4
|
29.1
|
24.3
|
| Totally dissatisfied |
33.1
|
38.3
|
24.1
|
| I don't know |
0.3
|
0.5
|
0.0
|
| No answer |
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
Q.7 What's your opinion of the Oslo agreement? Would you
say that you strongly support it, support it, oppose it, or strongly oppose
it?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Strongly support it |
3.2
|
4.5
|
0.9
|
| Support it |
35.8
|
37.3
|
33.2
|
| Oppose it |
36.0
|
34.4
|
38.9
|
| Strongly oppose it |
18.5
|
15.4
|
23.9
|
| No answer |
6.5
|
8.4
|
3.1
|
Q.8 If Jerusalem formed the last obstacle in signing a
peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, do you then approve
making Jerusalem the unified capital of Israel?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Agree |
2.7
|
4.1
|
0.2
|
| Disagree |
94.3
|
91.4
|
99.3
|
| I don’t know |
2.4
|
3.7
|
0.2
|
| No answer |
0.6
|
0.8
|
0.3
|
Q.9 Which Palestinian political or religious faction do
you trust the most?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Fateh |
32.1
|
31.8
|
32.7
|
| Hamas |
19.2
|
16.9
|
23.2
|
| PFLP |
1.7
|
1.4
|
2.0
|
| DFLP |
0.3
|
0.4
|
0.2
|
| Islamic Jihad |
3.0
|
2.6
|
3.6
|
| PPP |
0.9
|
1.4
|
0.0
|
| Fida |
0.4
|
0.7
|
0.0
|
| Other Islamic Faction |
0.8
|
0.5
|
1.4
|
| PLO |
0.3
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
| Hizballah |
0.8
|
0.9
|
0.7
|
| Other Factions |
0.8
|
0.9
|
0.7
|
| Don't trust anyone |
28.1
|
28.2
|
28.0
|
| No answer |
11.6
|
13.9
|
7.5
|
Q.10 Which Palestinian personality do you trust the most?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Yaser Arafat |
25.7
|
23.7
|
29.1
|
| Ahmad Yassin |
12.2
|
9.2
|
17.3
|
| Geroge Habash |
0.5
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
| Nayef Hawatmeh |
0.2
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
| Haidar Abdul Shafi |
3.6
|
3.0
|
4.5
|
| Faisal Husseini |
1.0
|
0.9
|
1.1
|
| Hanan Ashrawi |
1.0
|
1.3
|
0.5
|
| Sa'eb Erekat |
4.2
|
5.3
|
2.3
|
| Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) |
0.9
|
1.2
|
0.5
|
| Yasser Abe Rabbo |
1.0
|
1.3
|
0.5
|
| Marwan Bargouthi |
2.6
|
2.0
|
3.6
|
| Others |
6.5
|
7.0
|
5.7
|
| Don't trust anyone |
31.9
|
33.9
|
28.6
|
| No answer |
8.7
|
10.8
|
5.2
|
Q.11 In general, how do you evaluate the Palestinian Authority's
performance? Would say its performance is very good, bad, or very bad?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Very good |
5.2
|
3.8
|
7.5
|
| Good |
50.3
|
55.2
|
41.8
|
| Bad |
23.4
|
22.0
|
25.7
|
| Very bad |
13.9
|
10.4
|
20.0
|
| No answer |
7.2
|
8.6
|
5.0
|
Q.12 How do you evaluate the performance of the following
Palestinian Authority agencies?
Security agencies
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
31.5
|
29.8
|
34.5
|
| Average |
35.3
|
37.7
|
31.1
|
| Bad |
28.4
|
25.7
|
33.2
|
| No answer |
4.8
|
6.8
|
1.2
|
Legislative Council
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
19.3
|
17.8
|
22.0
|
| Average |
33.7
|
34.0
|
33.2
|
| Bad |
37.6
|
34.8
|
42.5
|
| No answer |
9.4
|
13.4
|
2.3
|
Ministerial Cabinet (Executive Authority)
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
21.3
|
20.7
|
22.3
|
| Average |
32.5
|
32.4
|
32.7
|
| Bad |
33.4
|
29.6
|
39.8
|
| No answer |
12.8
|
17.3
|
5.2
|
Palestinian Education System
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
54.1
|
52.4
|
57.0
|
| Average |
33.6
|
35.6
|
30.2
|
| Bad |
11.2
|
10.5
|
12.3
|
| No answer |
1.1
|
1.5
|
0.5
|
Palestinian Health System
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
48.6
|
42.2
|
59.8
|
| Average |
32.4
|
37.0
|
24.5
|
| Bad |
17.7
|
19.0
|
15.5
|
| No answer |
1.3
|
1.8
|
0.2
|
Palestinian Television
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
47.7
|
49.7
|
44.3
|
| Average |
34.6
|
35.0
|
33.9
|
| Bad |
15.3
|
11.9
|
21.4
|
| No answer |
2.4
|
3.4
|
0.4
|
Palestinian Radio (Voice of Palestin)
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Good |
47.7
|
48.4
|
46.6
|
| Average |
33.7
|
35.0
|
31.4
|
| Bad |
15.4
|
12.6
|
20.2
|
| No answer |
3.2
|
4.0
|
1.8
|
Q.13 There will be elections held soon in Israel, which
from a Palestinian viewpoint is better an Israeli government headed by
the Labor Party (Barak) or an Israeli government headed by the Likud Party
(Sharon or Netanyahu), or both of them are bad?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| An Israeli government headed by the Labor Party (Barak) |
6.6
|
6.2
|
7.3
|
| An Israeli government headed by the Likud Party (Sharon
or Netanyahu) |
4.1
|
5.8
|
1.1
|
| Both are bad |
86.0
|
83.7
|
90.0
|
| No answer |
3.3
|
4.3
|
1.6
|
Q.14 The United States acts as the sponsor of the peace
process and a mediator in the negotiations. Do you believe that it is conducting
its mediation in a biased manner towards the Palestinians, in a neutral
manner of in a biased manner towards the Israelis?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Biased manner towards the Palestinian |
1.0
|
1.3
|
0.5
|
| Neutral manner |
3.1
|
4.1
|
1.4
|
| Biased manner towards the Israelis |
95.1
|
93.4
|
98.0
|
| I don't know |
0.7
|
0.9
|
0.1
|
| No answer |
0.1
|
0.3
|
0.0
|
Q.15 How optimistic or pessimistic are you about the future
in general? Would you say you are:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1199
|
n=759
|
n=440
|
| Very Optimistic |
3.8
|
4.0
|
3.4
|
| Optimistic |
45.0
|
47.3
|
41.1
|
| Pessimistic |
37.0
|
35.6
|
39.5
|
| Very Pessimistic |
13.2
|
11.9
|
15.5
|
| No answer |
1.0
|
1.2
|
0.5
|
Go to Part Two
