Introduction
-
This poll showed the continuation of popular support, 79
percent, for the intifada compared to 80.2 percent last April. In December
2000, support for the intifada was 70.1 percent.
-
The majority of Palestinians, 54.4 percent, still continue
to support both military and popular forms of the intifada. The percentage
has decreased since the previous poll conducted in April, when support
for both forms of the intifada was 62.3 percent. Palestinians who supported
the continuation of only the popular forms of the intifada increased to
19.7 percent as opposed to 13.5 percent two months ago.
-
The majority of Palestinians, 70.6 percent considered Palestinian
military operations against Israeli targets a suitable response in the
current circumstances, while only 19.8 percent opposed it and considered
it disadvantageous for national interests. The results are similar to the
December 2000 survey when this question was last asked.
-
A significant number of Palestinians, 40.7 percent, supported
the continuation of Palestinian armed operations within the occupied Palestinian
territory and Israel at the same time. Those who only supported the continuation
of these operations only within Israel reached 31.8 percent, while 3.6
percent said that they are with the continuation of these operations in
the occupied territory only. Only 17.2 percent of those interviewed said
they do not support the continuation of military operations.
-
Support for suicide bombings continued as an adequate response
during the current circumstances reaching 68.6 percent as opposed to 66.2
percent last April. It is worth noting that support for suicide bombings
during March 1999 was only 26.1 percent, which was the last date this question
was asked.
-
A slight increase from 52 percent to 55.6 percent occurred
amongst Palestinians believing that Palestinian interests demand the continuation
of the intifada and negotiations at the same time. Those who support only
the path of negotiations dropped from 21.1 percent in December 2000 to
11.5 percent in this survey.
-
A large number of the Palestinian people, 45.6 percent, see
that the aim of this intifada is to end the Israeli military occupation
based on UN Security Council Resolution 242 and the establishment of a
Palestinian state, while 41.2 percent of those interviewed said that the
aim of the intifada is total liberation of Palestinian land and only 9.2
percent considered the intifada’s aim a tactic for improving the negotiation
track conditions.
-
Sixty-nine percent of Palestinians believe that the current
circumstances necessitates establishing a Palestinian national unity while
18.6 percent prefer to keep the internal political situation as is.
-
The majority of those surveyed, 67.1 percent, did not approve
ending the intifada in return to ending Jewish settlement. Only 25.1 percent
of Palestinians said they approve ending the intifada in return to ending
Jewish settlement.
-
As for the public’s opinion on Palestinian President Yasser
Arafat’s order to cease-fire, 52.3 percent strongly to somewhat supported
this decision, while 44.2 strongly to somewhat opposed this decision. Those
who support the cease-fire are more than those who oppose it.
-
Palestinian opinion on discussions circulating only outside
Palestine on Arafat’s control of the situation shows that 71.6 percent
see the Palestinian president in total or somewhat control of the situation
while only 25.8 percent say that he totally or somewhat not in control.
-
There is an increase in the number of Palestinians who are
dissatisfied with Arab solidarity with the intifada reaching 84.7 percent
compared to 60.5 percent in December 2000.
-
As for support of factions and politicians, Fateh Movement
continued to gain the same trust of 34.9 percent of Palestinians as well
as Hamas Movement remaining at 18.6 percent. Yasser Arafat continued to
have the highest trust of all Palestinian political personalities although
the trust went down to 27.8 percent from 32.3 percent in April 2001.
Methodology
A random sample of 1201 people over the age of 18 were
interviewed face-to-face throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip
on 14,15,16,17 June 2001. 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, 760 people were surveyed
from the following areas: Jenin: Jenin, Jenin Refugee Camp (RC),
Ya’bad, Zababdeh, Kufr Rai’, Fahmeh, Silat al-Harthia, T’nik. Nablus:
Nablus, Madama, Kifl Haris, Marda, Beit Fureek, Balata RC, Sabastia, Zawata.
Tulkarem
& Qalqilya: Tulkarem, Tulkarem RC, Bala’, Beit Leed, Qalqilia,
Jayyous. Hebron: Hebron, Yatta, Halhoul, Dhahiria, Fawar RC, Sureef,
Tarqoumia. Bethlehem: Bethlehem, BeitSahou, Duha, al-Khader,
Artas, Deiheishe RC Jericho: Jericho, Aqbat Jaber RC . Ramallah
& al-Bireh: al-Bireh, Ramallah, Beit Reema, Jalazon RC, Kufr Malik,
Nilin . Jerusalem: a-Dahia, A-ram, Shufat, Beit Hanaia, Old
City, Wadi al-Joz, Ras al-Amoud, Beir Nabal, Qalandia RC, Beit Hanaian
a-tahta, al-‘Isawia, Silwan.
In the Gaza Strip, 440 people were surveyed from:
Gaza
North: Jabalia refugee camp, Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.
Gaza:
Sheikh
Radwan, a-Nasser, a-Daraj, a-Tufah, Sabra, a-Zeitoun, a-Shajai’a, Shati
RC, a-Rimal Deir al- Balah: al-Nusseirat RC, al-Maghazi RC,
Deir al- Balah and al-Bureij RC . Khan Younis: ‘Abassan al-Kabira,
Khan Younis RC, Khan Younis, Bani Suheila and Abassan al-Saghira . Rafah:
Rafah,
Rafah RC and Tal al-Sultan RC .
The margin of error is 3 percent, with a confidence level
of 95.
Occupation respondents
Students 11.7% laborers 10.8%
Farmers/fishermen 1.9%
Craftsmen 1.7% Businessmen/private business 8.2%
Employees e.g. secretaries/municipal employees/teachers/nurses
18.7%
Professionals - e.g. doctors/lawyers/ pharmacists/engineers
1.5%
Housewives 34.9% , unemployed 8.2% and retired 1.6% ,
no answer 0.8%
Results
Q. 1 In general how optimistic or pessimistic do
you feel towards the future?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
N=1201
|
N=761
|
N=440
|
| Very optimistic |
4.4
|
5.4
|
2.7
|
| Optimistic |
46.2
|
45.5
|
47.5
|
| Pessimistic |
34.1
|
35.2
|
32.0
|
| Very Pessimistic |
14.6
|
13.3
|
16.8
|
| No answer |
0.7
|
0.6
|
1.0
|
Q.2 In general, what is your feeling about the current
peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis? Do you strongly
support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, strongly oppose?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
N=1201
|
N=761
|
N=440
|
| Strongly support |
11.4
|
12.4
|
9.8
|
| Somewhat support |
36.0
|
37.5
|
33.4
|
| Strongly oppose |
26.9
|
22.3
|
34.8
|
| Somewhat oppose |
20.8
|
21.6
|
19.5
|
| No answer |
4.9
|
6.2
|
2.5
|
Q.3 What's your opinion of the Olso agreement? Would you
say that you strongly support it, support it, oppose it, or strongly oppose
it?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Strongly support |
4.2
|
5.8
|
1.4
|
| Support |
33.9
|
33.2
|
35.0
|
| Oppose |
34.0
|
34.3
|
33.4
|
| Strongly oppose |
19.9
|
16.4
|
25.9
|
| No answer |
8.0
|
10.3
|
4.3
|
Q.4 In general, how do you evaluate the Palestinian Authority's
performance? Would you say its performance is very good, bad, or very bad?
| |
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Very good |
6.9
|
6.7
|
7.3
|
| Good |
55.6
|
60.2
|
47.7
|
| Bad |
23.1
|
21.2
|
26.6
|
| Very bad |
11.2
|
8.1
|
16.4
|
| No answer |
3.2
|
3.8
|
2.0
|
Q.5 How do you evaluate the performance of the following
Palestinian Authority agencies?
a. Security agencies:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
37.4
|
40.5
|
32.0
|
| Average |
33.5
|
34.0
|
32.5
|
| Bad |
25.7
|
21.4
|
33.2
|
| Strongly oppose |
3.4
|
4.1
|
2.3
|
b. Legislative Council:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
21.9
|
23.8
|
18.6
|
| Average |
36.7
|
37.5
|
35.5
|
| Bad |
33.9
|
29.0
|
42.3
|
| Strongly oppose |
7.5
|
9.7
|
3.6
|
c. Ministerial Cabinet (Executive Authority:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
21.8
|
22.5
|
20.7
|
| Average |
36.1
|
36.7
|
35.0
|
| Bad |
31.2
|
27.6
|
37.5
|
| Strongly oppose |
10.9
|
13.2
|
6.8
|
d. Palestinian Education System:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
58.9
|
59.0
|
58.6
|
| Average |
32.5
|
32.2
|
33.0
|
| Bad |
7.7
|
7.5
|
8.0
|
| Strongly oppose |
0.9
|
1.3
|
0.4
|
e. Palestinian Health System:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
45.1
|
41.4
|
51.6
|
| Average |
35.0
|
36.1
|
33.0
|
| Bad |
18.3
|
20.1
|
15.2
|
| Strongly oppose |
1.6
|
2.4
|
0.2
|
f. Palestinian Television:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
46.0
|
49.1
|
40.5
|
| Average |
37.6
|
36.4
|
39.8
|
| Bad |
13.0
|
10.0
|
18.2
|
| Strongly oppose |
3.4
|
4.5
|
1.5
|
g. Palestinian Radio:
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Good |
50.0
|
52.8
|
45.2
|
| Average |
36.4
|
34.0
|
40.5
|
| Bad |
9.5
|
7.9
|
12.3
|
| Strongly oppose |
4.1
|
5.3
|
2.0
|
Q.6 Some believe, that the Intifada is the best path to
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 the negotiations together is
the method to achieve Palestinian national goals, so in your prespective
what is the best way to achieve our national goals?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Only the Intifada |
28.8
|
23.5
|
38.0
|
| Only Negotiations |
11.5
|
14.3
|
6.6
|
| Intifada & negotiations together |
55.6
|
56.9
|
53.4
|
| I don't know |
3.4
|
4.6
|
1.4
|
| No answer |
0.7
|
0.7
|
0.6
|
Q.7 Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Yasser
Arafat is handling his job as President of the Palestinian Authority? Do
you feel that way strongly or only somewhat?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Very satisfied |
21.3
|
21.6
|
20.9
|
| Somewhat satisfied |
34.7
|
36.8
|
31.1
|
| Very dissatisfied |
17.4
|
13.1
|
25.0
|
| Somewhat dissatisfied |
21.5
|
22.1
|
20.5
|
| No answer |
5.1
|
6.5
|
2.5
|
Q.8 Do you support or oppose the continuation of the current
Palestinian Intifada?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Support |
79.0
|
72.9
|
89.5
|
| Oppose |
14.8
|
18.8
|
8.0
|
| I don't know |
5.4
|
7.1
|
2.5
|
| No answer |
0.8
|
1.2
|
0.0
|
Q.9 The current Intifada includes popular characteristics
such as the demonstrations and military characteristics. In your opinion,
do you support the continuation of a popular or military Intifada or both
of them together?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| I support the continuation of a popular resistance Intifada |
19.7
|
24.2
|
11.8
|
| With the continuation of a military resistance Intifada |
14.9
|
16.2
|
12.7
|
| I am for both a popular and military resistance Intifada |
54.4
|
45.9
|
69.1
|
| I don't know |
9.2
|
11.4
|
5.2
|
| No answer |
1.8
|
2.3
|
1.2
|
Q.10 Do you support the resumption of the 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= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| I see it as suitable response within the current political
conditions |
70.6
|
62.8
|
84.1
|
| I oppose it and see it as harmful to Palestinian national
interests |
19.8
|
24.3
|
12.0
|
| I don't know |
7.6
|
10.1
|
3.2
|
| No answer |
2.1
|
2.8
|
0.7
|
Q.11 Are you with the resumption of the military operatins
inside Israel only, inside the occupied territories or inside Israel and
the occupied territories?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Only inside Israel |
31.8
|
33.6
|
28.6
|
| Only Inside the occupied territories |
3.6
|
4.7
|
1.6
|
| Inside israel and the occupied territories |
40.7
|
31.0
|
57.5
|
| I am not with the coninuation of the military operations |
17.2
|
21.2
|
10.2
|
| No answer |
6.7
|
9.5
|
2.1
|
Q.12 What about the suicide bombing operations? Do you
see them as a suitable response in the current political conditions or
do you oppose them and see them harmful to national interests?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| I see them as a suitable response in the current political
conditions |
68.6
|
63.1
|
78.2
|
| I oppose it and see it as harmful to Palestinian national
interests |
23.1
|
26.4
|
17.5
|
| I don't know |
6.2
|
8.1
|
2.7
|
| No answer |
2.1
|
2.4
|
1.6
|
Q.13 How satisfied are you with Arab solidarity with the
Intifada. Would you say you are satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat
dissatisfied, or totally dissatisfied?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Very satisfied |
1.3
|
1.6
|
0.9
|
| Somewhat satisfied |
13.5
|
11.8
|
16.4
|
| Somewhat dissatisfied |
21.6
|
18.7
|
26.6
|
| Totally dissatisfied |
63.1
|
67.4
|
55.7
|
| I don't know |
0.2
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
| No answer |
0.3
|
0.4
|
0.2
|
Q.14 Under the current conditions, some believe that the
peace process is dead and there is no chance of resuming the negotiations,
while others see that the peace process is passing through difficult conditions
with an unclear future and there is another group that believes that the
peace process is still alive and there is a possibility of resuming negotiations?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| The peace process is dead and there is no chance of resuming
negotiations |
27.4
|
25.1
|
31.4
|
| The peace process is passing through difficult conditions
with an unclear future |
50.1
|
52.4
|
46.1
|
| The peace process is still alive and there is a possibility
of resuming the negotiations |
17.9
|
17.3
|
18.9
|
| Other |
0.6
|
0.4
|
0.9
|
| I don't know |
3.2
|
4.2
|
1.6
|
| No answer |
0.8
|
0.6
|
1.1
|
Q.15 Some believe that the "Two - State Formula" is the
best solution for the Israeli - Palestinian conflict while others believe
that the historical Palestine cannot be divided into two states and therefore
the best solution would be a "Bi-National State" in all of Palestine where
Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal rights, which of these two solutions
would you prefer?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Two states Israeli & Palestinian |
47.2
|
47.8
|
46.1
|
| Bi-national state in all of Palestine |
22.2
|
21.0
|
24.3
|
| Other |
0.7
|
1.1
|
0.2
|
| No solution |
11.5
|
13.4
|
8.2
|
| Palestinian State* |
11.7
|
8.3
|
17.7
|
| Islamic State* |
1.4
|
1.4
|
1.4
|
| I don't know |
3.8
|
5.5
|
0.9
|
| No answer |
1.5
|
1.5
|
1.2
|
* These answers were not included as part of the options
read to the interviewees
Q.16 Some believe that the current conditions stipulate
the formation of a national unity government while others believe that
it is better to keep the political situation in Palestine as it is. What
do you think?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Formation of national unity government |
69.0
|
65.6
|
75.0
|
| Keep the political situation in Palestine as it is |
18.6
|
21.6
|
13.4
|
| No answer |
12.4
|
12.8
|
11.6
|
Q.17 In your opinion what should be the final goal for
the current intifada. Is it the improvement of the Palestinains negotiations
situation, end the occupation based on resolution 242, formation of a Palestinian
State, or the freedom of all Palestine or other?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| The improvement of the Palestinians negotiations |
9.2
|
11.3
|
5.5
|
| End the occupation on the basic resolution 242 |
45.6
|
45.6
|
45.7
|
| The liberation of all Palestine |
41.2
|
37.8
|
47.0
|
| Other |
1.2
|
1.7
|
0.5
|
| I don't know |
2.2
|
3.0
|
0.7
|
| No answer |
0.6
|
0.6
|
0.6
|
Q.18 If the Palestinians are offered the possibility of
the cessation of settlements in return for the cessation of the Intifada?
What is your opinion, do you agree to the cessation of the Palestinian
Intifada in return for cessation of Israeli settlement on the occupied
territories or not?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| I agree |
25.1
|
26.8
|
22.0
|
| I disagree |
67.1
|
62.8
|
74.5
|
| Other |
1.2
|
1.4
|
0.7
|
| I don't know / I have no idea |
4.9
|
6.6
|
2.0
|
| No anser |
1.7
|
2.4
|
0.8
|
Q.19 There is a debate among international circles as
to whether the Palestinian president is in control of the internal Palestinian
situation, or whether he is in control up to a certain degree or whether
he is not in control up to a certain degree, or whether he is not in control
at all, what is your opinion?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| President Arafat is in control of the internal Palestinian
situation |
20.6
|
19.2
|
23.0
|
| President Arafat is in control up to a certain degree |
51.0
|
49.9
|
52.7
|
| President Arafat is not in control up to a certain degree |
18.6
|
19.3
|
17.3
|
| President Arafat has no control on the internal Palestinian
situation |
7.2
|
7.8
|
6.4
|
| No answer |
2.6
|
3.8
|
0.6
|
Q.20 President Arafat has announced his decision of a
cease-fire. What is your opinion of his decision, do you strongly support,
somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Strongly support |
16.7
|
18.8
|
13.0
|
| Somewhat support |
35.6
|
38.2
|
31.1
|
| Somewhat oppose |
22.6
|
22.1
|
23.6
|
| Strongly oppose |
21.6
|
17.1
|
29.5
|
| No answer |
3.5
|
3.8
|
2.8
|
Q.21 The Mitchel Committee has recently published its
report, so did you look at its context?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1021
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Yes |
52.4
|
53.7
|
50.0
|
| No |
44.7
|
42.2
|
49.1
|
| No answer |
2.9
|
4.1
|
0.9
|
Q.22 What is your opinion of the acceptance of Mitchell
report by the Palestinian authority, do you support it strongly somewhat
or do you oppose it strongly or somewhat?*
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 629
|
n=409
|
n=220
|
| Strongly support |
7.6
|
7.8
|
7.3
|
| Somewhat support |
36.1
|
40.3
|
28.2
|
| Somewhat oppose |
25.3
|
23.0
|
29.5
|
| Strongly oppose |
27.8
|
24.7
|
33.6
|
| No answer |
3.2
|
4.2
|
1.4
|
* asked to those who answered yes in Q. 21
Q. 23 Which Political or religious faction do you trust
most?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Yasser Arafat |
27.8
|
27.2
|
28.9
|
| Ahmed Yassin |
9.8
|
7.2
|
14.3
|
| Sa'eb Erekat |
4.0
|
5.1
|
2.0
|
| Haidar Abdul Shafi |
3.6
|
2.1
|
6.1
|
| Faisal al-Husseini |
2.2
|
1.8
|
3.0
|
| Marwan Bargouthi |
2.2
|
2.5
|
1.8
|
| Hanan Ashrawi |
1.8
|
2.0
|
1.6
|
| George Habash |
1.2
|
1.1
|
1.4
|
| Yasser Abed Rabbu |
1.2
|
1.3
|
0.9
|
| Others |
11.6
|
12.0
|
10.9
|
| Don't trust anyone |
26.6
|
28.6
|
23.2
|
| No answer |
8.0
|
9.1
|
5.9
|
Q. 24 Which Political or religious faction do you trust
most?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| Fateh |
34.9
|
32.9
|
38.4
|
| Hamas |
18.6
|
15.1
|
24.5
|
| Islamic Jihad |
5.2
|
5.1
|
5.5
|
| PFLP |
2.7
|
2.2
|
3.6
|
| Other Islamic faction |
2.5
|
2.1
|
3.2
|
| Other factions |
2.3
|
3.2
|
0.9
|
| Don't trust anyone |
24.6
|
27.3
|
19.8
|
| No answer |
9.2
|
12.1
|
4.1
|
Q.25 Do you find the United States of Americ an ally to
Israeli in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, neutral, or an ally to the
Palestinians?
|
|
Total
|
West Bank
|
Gaza Strip
|
|
n= 1201
|
n=761
|
n=440
|
| An ally to Israel |
96.4
|
96.3
|
96.6
|
| Neutral |
1.7
|
1.6
|
2.0
|
| An ally to the Palestinians |
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.2
|
| No answer |
1.7
|
1.8
|
1.2
|
