The Palestinians Speak Their Mind

Yesterday, Hebrew University (Jerusalem) and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (Ramallah) released the results of a new joint public opinion poll.  Here are the key results for the Palestinians (in a poll taken June 15-18, 2006 with a 3% margin of error):

— Refugees:  55% oppose a settlement in which refugees would be given an unrestricted right to return to a Palestinian state, a limited right to return to Israel, and compensation to all refugees for their “refugeehood” and loss of property.

— Jerusalem:  63% oppose a Jerusalem compromise in which East Jerusalem would become the capital of the Palestinian state and the Old City (including the Temple Mount but excluding the Jewish Quarter and the “Wailing Wall”) would come under Palestinian sovereignty.

— Demilitarized Palestinian State:  74% oppose a Palestinian state that would have no army, but would have a strong security force and a multinational force deployed to ensure its security and safety.

— Recognition of Israel:  66% believe Hamas should not accept international demands regarding recognition of Israel as a precondition for continued donor support for the Palestinian Authority.

— Crimes Against Humanity:  56% support armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel.

— Reconciliation:  49% believe reconciliation with Israelis is not possible ever.

We are constantly told there is a distinction between the Hamas-controlled government and the Palestinian public: the “government” should be ostracized until it recognizes Israel and renounces violence; the “people” should be supported with aid, notwithstanding their choice of a terrorist government. 

But the new poll demonstrates there is no significant difference in their beliefs.