By Izzat Ramini
Albawaba.com - Ramallah
A poll conducted by the Development Studies Program at Beir Zeit University has indicated a rise in the Palestinians’ support of military operations against Israeli targets, in comparison with 44 percent last August, before the outbreak of the Intifada.
The poll, which covered a population of 1234 Palestinians in different governorates, also showed that 41 percent agreed that the operations should target all Israelis, while 38 percent said that they should be limited to Israeli soldiers and settlers; nevertheless, 60 percent of the respondents disagreed with violence against civilians inside Israel.
The survey also revealed a rise in anti-US sentiments. 73 percent of participants said that US interests in the Middle East should also be targeted due to “American bias in favor of Israel.” Only three percent agreed that the US should resume its role as a peace broker in the Middle East.
The peace process should go on between the Palestinians and the Israelis on the basis of UN resolutions of concern, according to 57.8 percent of the sample.
Although the PLO mainstream movement, Fateh, remained the most popular party among the Palestinians with a 30 percent, its popularity dropped slightly in comparison to previous opinion polls. Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistant Movement, Hamas, gained ground recording 21 percent of the Palestinian support, against 14.5 percent in the last poll. 4.3 percent supported Islamic Jihad, and 4.5 percent of the Palestinians favored the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Asked who they would choose as president in case of election under the present circumstances, 52 percent of those who responded to the question elected President Yasser Arafat, 30 percent were for Hamas spiritual leader Ahmad Yassin, and 12 percent said they would chose former top negotiator Haidar Abdul Shafi.
On their view of the ongoing Intifada in the Palestinian lands, 75 percent were for the continuation of the Intifada, and 68 percent said that the ultimate goal of the popular uprising is liberation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.
A majority of the surveyed sample said that the Palestinians are ready for a confrontation with Israel in case the Intifada is escalated. 24.2 percent saw that peaceful demonstrations and boycotting Israeli products are the most feasible means of resistance, whereas 32.2 percent said that violent military actions are the best way to keep the uprising alive.
However, 74.1 percent of the Palestinians believe that children below 18 years of age should not be allowed to take part in confrontations.
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