I don’t think you can read too much into the latest Jerusalem Media & Communication Center Poll on “Palestinian attitudes towards the political process” but it does make for some interesting reading.
The poll reveals the sometimes large gaps between how ordinary Palestinians feel versus how western media commentators think they feel. The poll suggests that there is a sizeable (though not a majority) portion of Palestinian society that just want a “normal” life and would presumably be very willing to give up on some of the Palestinian demands. Palestinians are believers in the benefits of democratic processes but still place importance on fundamentalist issues. This makes them extraordinarily difficult to read and understand.
Some significant findings:
Fundamentalism - There is an increase in the ratio of Palestinians who consider the religious factor as an important factor when voting. Also, if the election programs are based on a choice between fundamentalist trends versus secular trends, the largest ratio of Palestinians (48.6%) said it will choose the fundamentalist trends.
Democratic desire - A large majority of Palestinians (75.1%) want to participate in the next PLC elections.
Trust – There is an increase is the ratio of Palestinians who don’t trust any Palestinian faction. Mahmoud Abbas however, got the highest ratio of trust.
Intifada – There is a notable rise in the ratio of Palestinians who oppose the continuation of the Aqsa Intifada (44.1% compared to 27% in June 2004) – BUT – the majority of Palestinians still support it (53.3%). Those Palestinians that oppose the intifada view it as harmful to Palestinian national interests.
Terror – Palestinians are divided almost equally on the issue of suicide bombing against Israeli civilians. In June 2004 (31.5%) opposed suicide bombings compared to the current figure of (48%).
State of Calm - A significant majority of Palestinians (65.2%) believe that the Palestinian national interests require maintaining the state of calm (ceasefire) between Palestinians and Israelis until the end of 2005, but there is also a majority of Palestinians (54.6%) who oppose using force by the security forces against those who violate the calm understandings.
Disengagement - A majority of Palestinians (52.8%) see in Sharon's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza Strip a step that can contribute to peace while (33.4%) say such a step harms a just peace between both sides.
Education - 92.6% of Palestinians view educational qualification as very important or important when they choose their next representative on the PLC.
Corruption – A finding connected to the death of Arafat, the ratio of Palestinians who believe there is corruption in the PA went down to 61.9% from 90.3% in June 2004.
Download the PDF document for the rest, which includes an explanation of the research methodology.
Now it's time for the PA to take the necessary steps that the majority of Israelis can view as a positive step for peace.
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