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Palestinian Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes About Terrorism

(2002 - 2023)

Note: We are presenting raw data. When available, we provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID). To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Results and reliability can be affected by such things as sample size, question-wording, and question order. Responses may also be influenced by context and timing; for example, if the survey is conducted during a war. The question wording is not exact in polls in Arabic translated to English).


How much do you support the military operation carried out by the Palestinian resistance led by Hamas on October 7th? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)

  WB Gaza Total
Extremely support 68% 47%

59%

Somewhat support  15% 17%

16%

Neither support nor oppose  8% 14%

11%

Somewhat do not support  3% 8%

11%

Extremely against  4% 13%

13%

In your opinion, what was the main reason for the operation launched by the Palestinian resistance on 7th October? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)

  Total
To Free Palestine 

29%

Breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip

21%

Stop the peace process 

1%

Stop the settlement 

1%

Serve Iran’s benefits 

5%

Stop the violations of Aqsa 33%

Do you support or oppose the shooting of two settlers in Huwara? (PSR, March 8-11, 2023)

 Support

71%

Oppose

21%

In your view, what is the best means of achieving Palestinian goals in ending the occupation and building an independent state? (PSR, September 2015; September 2017; September 11-14, 2019; September 15-18, 2021September 9-12, 2020; December 2022)

 

2015 2017 2019

2020

2021

2022

Negotiations

29% 33% 24%

24%

33%

21%

Peaceful popular resistance 24% 26% 22%

26%

19%

23%

Armed action 42% 35% 44%

41%

48%

51%

Other     3%

2%

 

 

DK/NA 5%   6%

7%

 

9%

In the absence of negotiations, how do you think the Palestinians should go about achieving their goals? (PSR, December 2015, September 2017, September 15-18, 2021; December 2022)

 

2015

2017

2021 2022*

Join more international organizations

76%

71%

63% 59%

Popular non-violent resistance

60%

67%

54% 51%

Return to an armed intifada

60%

45%

54% 55%
Disolve the Palestinian Authority 46% 47% 47% 48%
Embrace one-state solution     27% 27%

Armed groups, such as the Jenin Battalion and the Lions’ Den, have recently appeared in parts of the West Bank such as the Jenin refugee camp and the old city in Nablus. Are you for or against the formation of such armed groups that do not take orders from the Palestinian Authority and are not part of the official security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

 

2022

 In favor 

72%

Against

22%

Don't know/No answer

5%

To what extent you fear the formation of these armed groups might lead to internal armed conflict between them and the PA security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

 

2022

 Fear

59%

Do not fear

39%

Don't know/No answer

2%

The Palestinian Authority has asked the members of the armed groups in Nablus and Jenin to surrender and give up their arms in order to protect them from Israeli assassination. Are you for or against such a surrender and the give up of arms to the PA security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

 

2022

  In favor

17%

Against

79%

Don't know/No answer

4%

Do you think the PA security services have the right to arrest members of these armed groups in order to prevent them from carrying out armed attacks against Israel or to ensure their protection? (PSR, (December 2022)

 

2022

  Yes, it has the right 

10%

No, it does not have the right

87%

Don't know/No answer

3%

When thinking about the future of these armed groups, do you expect them to expand and spread to other areas in the West Bank or do you expect the PA to contain its spread or Israel to arrest its members? (PSR, (December 2022)

 

2022

Expect them to expand and spread to new areas 

59%

Expect the PA to contain their spread 

14%

 Expect Israel to arrest or kill their members  15%
Expect the PA to succeed in contain the groups and Israel to arrest or kill their members 8%

Don't know/No answer

4%

After the cessation of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, would you support or oppose adopting the following options? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)
Return to the armed intifada and confrontation

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Certainly support

11.7%

6.6%

20.1%

Support

38.2%

34.8%

43.7%

Oppose

38.2%

42.6%

31.0%

Certainly oppose
8.6%
11.8%
3.4%

Don't know/No answer

3.2%

4.1%

1.7%

More than three weeks ago an explosive device led to the death of an Israeli and the injury of two near the settlement of Dolev, west of Ramallah. Do you support or oppose this type of armed attacks? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Support

60.9%

49.0%

80.3%

Oppose

33.4%

42.6%

18.1%

Don't know/No answer

5.8%

8.3%

1.6%

In this regard, how do you see the future? Is this incident the beginning of a return to armed struggle or is it a one-time incident? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Return to armed struggle

39.3%

24.3%

63.9%

One-time inciden

54.3%

67.5%

32.5%

Don't know/No answer

6.4%

8.2%

3.6%

Do you think ISIS serves the Palestinian cause? Does it harm it? Or does it have no impact on the cause?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Serves the cause

2.8%

2.7%

3.1%

Harms it

52.1%

44.1%

65.3%

Has no impact

38.9%

45.2%

28.4%

Don't know/No answer

6.2%

8%

3.2%

Lately, there has been news in the media about ISIS forces advancing in Iraq and Syria. What responses do you have towards this: very positive, moderately positive, moderately negative, or very negative?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Very positive

.9%

.7%

1.3%

Positive

5.2%

5.2%

5.1%

Negative

18.8%

19.6%

17.6%

Very negative

63.3%

60.1%

68.7%

Don't know/No answer

11.8%

14.4%

7.3%

To what extent do you support or oppose the continuation of knife attacks against Israelis?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Strongly support

25.3%

18.1%

37.1%

Support

30.9%

24%

42.4%

Oppose

21.4%

25.1%

15.3%

Strongly Oppose

19.7%

28.8%

4.4%

Don't know/No answer

2.7%

4%

.8%

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the continuation of the current uprising?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Strongly support

22%

16.5%

31.1%

Support

33.9%

27.5%

44.7%

Oppose

22.4%

26.4%

15.8%

Strongly Oppose

18.6%

25.2%

7.6%

Don't know/No answer

3.1%

4.4%

.8%

At this moment, do you support or oppose a Third Intifada?
            (AWRAD, February 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Support

42%

38.8%

47.3%

Oppose

53.7%

56.9%

48.2%

Don't know/No answer

4.3%

4.3%

4.4%

Do you believe that a new Intifada would advance or impede the Palestinian quest towards statehood?
             (AWRAD, February 2016)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza

Advance

39.4%

36.4%

44.4%

Impede

50.2%

51.1%

48.7%

Don't know/No answer

10.4%

12.5%

6.9%

What is your opinion of ISIS?
            (PCPSR, September 2015, December 2015)

 

September 2015
December 2015
ISIS is a radical group, unrepresentative of true Islam
91%
88%
ISIS represents true Islam
6%
7%
No answer/Don't know
3%
5%

Do you support or oppose the war waged by the West and Arab countries against ISIS?
            (PCPSR, September 2015, December 2015)

 

September 2015
December 2015
Support
83%
77%
Oppose
13%
20%
No answer/Don't know
4%
3%

Do you think that most Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces in the most recent violence actually attacked someone?
             (PCPSR, December 2015)

 

Total
Yes they attempted to, or did, shoot, stab, or run over Israelis
51%
No, they were not attempting to, and did not, stab, shoot, or run over any Israelis
47%
Don't know/refuse
2%

Do you think that the current confrontations will lead to a new, armed intifada?
             (PCPSR, December 2015)

 

Total
Yes they will lead to a new, armed intifada
37%
They will lead to wide-scale peaceful popular resistance
18%
They will develop in both directions
13%
The confrontations will stay as they are now
19%
The confrontations will dissipate
10%

Say a third uprising (intifada) erupts; would you be in favor of a peaceful popular uprising or in favor of a violent one?
             (PCPO, November 2015)

 

Total
Peaceful, non-violent popular uprising
29.9%
A violent uprising
42.1%
Neither
27.8%
Don't know/refuse
.2%

According to your opinion, is what happening now in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are fleeting confrontations, a popular stir or a third Intifada?
             (PCPO, November 2015)

 

Total
Fleeting confrontations
14.8%
A popular stir as an onset for a third Intifada
49.4%
A third intifada
32.2%
Don't know/refuse
3.6%

To what extent do you think ISIS has a presence in the Gaza Strip?
             (JMCC, August, 2015)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza
Large presence
2.2%
2%
2.4%
Moderate presence
10.6%
6.5%
17.3%
Small presence
32%
25.4%
43.1%
No presence
46.3%
52.7%
35.6%
No answer/Don't know
8.9%
13.4%
1.6%

Do you believe that the ISIS phenomena is widespread among Palestinians?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

 

Total
Yes
19.7%
No
65.1%
Don't know/No answer
15.2%

Do you believe the practices of ISIS that you see in the media are justifiable in creating a real Islamic State?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

 

Total
Yes
1.7%
No
92.5%
Don't know/No answer
5.8%

Do you believe that ISIS represents real Islam?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

 

Total
Yes
1.4%
No
92.8%
Don't know/No answer
5.8%

What is your opinion of Palestinian Islamic Jihad?
             (The Washington Institute, July 2015)

 

West Bank
Gaza
Very good
34.3%
29.8%
Fairly good
36.5%
55.4%
Fairly bad
11.1%
11.3%
Very bad
17.9%
4.4%

What is your opinion of Hezbollah?
         (The Washington Institute, July 2015)

 

West Bank
Gaza
Very good
27.5%
17%
Fairly good
41.7%
39.7%
Fairly bad
18.5%
32%
Very bad
12.1%
11.3%

Do you support or oppose suicide bombings operations against Israeli civilians?
          (Not necessarily exact question wording)

Month
Year
Pollster
Support
Oppose
September
2013
62.0%
28.0%
April
2013
40.0%
49.0%
March
2013
29.0%
56.1%
February
2006
56.2%
40.7%
June
2005
PCPO
42.4%
53.4%
November
2004
PCPO
54.5%
33.1%
November
2004
PCPO
46.0%
37.9%
September
2002
JMCC/PCPSR
64.3%
27.7%
August
2002
JMCC/PCPSR
52.3%
45.5%
May
2002
JMCC/PCPSR
52.0%
46.9%
December
2001
JMCC/PCPSR
81.8%
15.7%
July
2001
JMCC/PCPSR
85.9%
11.3%
April
2001
JMCC/PCPSR
74.1%
15.9%
July
2000
JMCC/PCPSR
51.6%
42.7%
August
1997
JMCC/PCPSR
28.2%
56.0%
May
1997
JMCC/PCPSR
23.6%
64.7%
April
1997
JMCC/PCPSR
32.7%
54.5%
March
1996
JMCC
5.3%
65.0%
August
1995
JMCC/PCPSR
24.3%
62.2%
June
1995
JMCC/PCPSR
32.8%
52.3%

What are your views of the following Muslim extremist groups?
          (Pew Research Center, September 2013)

 
Hamas
Hezbollah
Taliban
View Favorably
35%
48%
43%
29%
View Unfavorably
53%
45%
49%
50%
Undecided
12%
6%
8%
20%

Do rockets fired from Gaza toward Israel help, harm or make no difference to the Palestinian goals?
          (Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, March 2013)

 

Total
West Bank
Gaza
Helps
38.4%
35.0%
44.4%
Harms
29.7%

29.1%

30.7%
Makes No Difference
27.7%
30.2%
23.5%
No Answer
3.3%

4.85%

0.5%

Did you support or oppose the August 2010 Hamas attack on settlers near Hebron that resulted in the death of four settlers? (PCPSR, October 2010)

Supported it
51%
Opposed it
44%

Follow up: What do you believe was Hamas' motivation behind the attack? (PCPSR, October 2010)

To derail the Washington launch of direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations
49%
To resist occupation and settlers
39%

Do you support or oppose armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel? (Harry Truman Research Institute/PCPSR, March 1-7, 2009)

Support
54%
Oppose
42%

Do you support or oppose launching rockets from the Gaza Strip against Israeli towns and cities such as Sderot and Ashkelon? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, March 13-15, 2008)

Support
64%
Oppose
33%

Do you support or oppose the bombing attack that took place in a religious school in West Jerusalem? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, March 13-15, 2008)

Support
84%
Oppose
13%

Do you consider acts such as the kidnapping of foreigners, the burning of internet cafe's, and the bombing of foreign schools as criminal acts deserving condemnation, or as nationalistic acts deserving support? (Truman Center/PSR, June 12-20, 2007)

Criminal acts
82%
Nationalist acts
3%
Both
2%

Is the conflict in Gaza between factions or individuals? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Between Fateh and Hamas
44%
Between individual people
56%

Do you support or oppose the firing of rockets into Israel by Palestinian factions? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Support
51%
Oppose
49%

Does firing rockets into Israel provide any real benefit to the Palestinians? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Yes
34%
No
66%

Palestinian factions blamed for violence in the Gaza Strip: (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Mainly Hamas
21%
Mainly Fateh
15%
I blame both equally
64%

Do you support or oppose releasing Alan Johnston without conditions? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Support
84%
Oppose
16%

Effect of Palestinian Suicide Bombings on Chances for Self-Determination (Gallup, January 2006)

Improved chances
44%
Weakened chances
34%
No effect (volunteered response)
13%

Do you support the resumption of the military operations against Israeli targets as a suitable response within the current political conditions, or do you oppose them and find them harmful to Palestinians national interests? (Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, February 2006)

 

Total

West Bank

Gaza

 

N= 1200

N= 760

N= 440

Suitable response within the current political conditions

43.8

42.1

46.8

I oppose them and find them harmful to Palestinian national interests

51.5

52.5

49.8

Others

0.3

0.3

0.2

Don’t know

2.8

3.4

1.6

no answer

1.6

1.7

1.6

Hamas has executed violent operations against Israeli targets inside Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza strip against civilians and against military troops, now and after Hamas victory in the PLC elections, do you believe that Hamas should continue with such operations or that it should halt them?(Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, February 2006)

 

Total

West Bank

Gaza

 

N= 1200

N= 760

N= 440

Hamas has to continue with its operations

39.1

34.6

46.8

Hamas has to stop its operations

51.7

55.8

44.5

No answer

9.2

9.6

8.7

The PA president, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, called upon the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” to abandon violence and to hold a dialogue with Fateh saying that the atmosphere is appropriate now for conducting such a political dialogue, which is considered to be indispensable.  Do you agree with that, or not? (PCPO, June 6-11/2005)

Strongly agree

 

20.7%
Somewhat agree

 

54.6%

 

Somewhat disagree

 

13.8%

 

Strongly disagree

 

7.1%

 

Don’t know / refuse.

 

3.8%

 

 

Do you believe or not believe that violence will alleviate in the Palestinian territories if the Israeli government would take serious and sincere measures to lift the siege and security belt from the Palestinian territories? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion)

 
Nov. 2002
April 2003
Sept. 2003
Oct. 2004
Nov. 2004
Believe
28.7%
26.8%
23.2%
35.7%
27.1%
Believe to some extent
35.8%
46.0%
43.1%
35.9%
47.8%
Don't believe
25.8%
18.0%
25.4%
35.9%
19.3%
Don't know
9.7%
9.2%
8.3%
6.1%
5.8%

Don't you think that Israel should coordinate and negotiate with the Palestinian Authority prior to the withdrawal from Gaza Strip in accordance with Sharon's plan? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, November 4 - 8, 2004)

Yes
57.7%
No
28.2%
Don't know
14.1%

Are you pro or contra the halt of violence attacks against the Israelis inside the "green line" against the demolition of the separation wall by Israel? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, November 4 - 8, 2004)

Pro
47.9%
Contra
37.0%
Don't know
15.1%

In your opinion, were the people who flew planes into New York's World Trade Center...? (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Terrorists
96%
41%
37%
Martyrs
3%
8%
22%
Freedom Fighters
--
25%
14%
Don't know
1%
27%
27%

And who do you believe planned the 9/11 attacks against the United States? (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Osama bin Laden
91%
34%
46%
Saddam Hussein
2%
1%
4%
The United States
1%
13%
6%
Israel
--
11%
26%
Someone Else
2%
2%
1%
Don't Know
5%
39%
18%

Terrorism is NEVER justified under any circumstances. (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Strongly Agree
83%
58%
34%
Somewhat Agree
10%
11%
32%
Somewhat Disagree
4%
6%
18%
Strongly disagree
4%
22%
9%
Don't Know
1%
4%
7%

Hamas is a terrorist group. (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Strongly agree
90%
16%
5%
Somewhat agree
8%
11%
8%
Somewhat disagree
1%
14%
14%
Strongly disagree
--
45%
67%
Don't Know
1%
15%
6%

[Hamas are freedom fighters.] (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Strongly Agree
--
33%
51%
Somewhat Agree
--
26%
31%
Somewhat Disagree
--
10%
10%
Strongly Disagree
--
20%
5%
Don't Know
--
12%
4%

If the Ministry of Education wanted to name a youth soccer tournament after Baruch Goldstein who killed unarmed Palestinians in an attack, would that be a good ting or bad thing? (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Good Thing
11%
4%
--
Bad Thing
83%
91%
--
Don't Know
7%
5%
--

Do you consider Palestinian bombings of Israeli buses and restaurants to be acts of terrorism? (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Yes
99%
57%
10%
No
1%
31%
79%
Don't Know
--
12%
11%

Do you consider attacks by Israelis against Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders to be acts of terrorism? (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Yes
19%
76%
84%
No
79%
16%
10%
Don't Know
2%
9%
6%

 

Some say that the ideal way to achieve Palestinian national goals is through negotiations, others say through armed struggle, what is the opinion closer to your viewpoint? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 2002)

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
N=1200
N=760
N=440
Negotiations
21.0
20.96
21.4 
Armed struggle
35.5
35.7
35.2
Negotiations and armed struggle
39.8
38.6
42.0
No answer 
3.7
4.8 
1.4

In general, do you support or oppose Arab participation in the "International Coalition Against Terrorism" led by the U.S.? (Source: IMRA, October 2001)

Don't support such participation under any circumstances 76.2
Yes, if the US becomes more involved in resolving the Palestinian issue in a just manner 15.7
Yes, definitely 3.6
Don't know 4.5

Do you think that attacks such as the ones in the U.S. are consistent with Arab interests? (Source: IMRA, October 2001)

Yes
43.3
No
47.8
Don't know/Not sure
8.9

The following questions were asked immediately after several terrorist attacks in late February and early March 1996

Do you believe that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should prevent such attacks? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
Yes
63.1
No
17.1
Refused to answer
19.8

Do you think that the PA should prevent such attacks by force or by persuasion? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

(This question was asked only to those who said that the PA should prevent such attacks)

 
Total
By force
2.4
By persuasion
50.0
Force and Persuasion
45.2
Refused to answer
2.4

Do you think that the PA is capable of preventing such attacks? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
PA is capable
28.1
PA is not capable
30.0
Refused to answer
41.9

Have you been exposed personally to provocations from Israelis as a result of the attack? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
Yes
31.6
No
65.8
Refused to answer
2.7

Are you afraid from revenge by Israelis? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
Yes, I am afraid
74.9
No, I am not afraid
19.8
Refused to answer
5.3

Are you afraid now from using Israeli buses? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
Yes
61.2
No
23.6
Refused to answer
15.2

Is your fear a result of the treatment of Israeli passengers or from explosions? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

(This question was asked only to those who said that they are afraid now from using Israeli buses)

 
Total
Israeli Passengers
9.3
Explosions
24.9
Both
64.6
Refused to answer
1.2

Do you feel that the suicidal attacks contribute to the achievement of Palestinian National goals ? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

 
Total
Yes
17.5
No
60.5
Refused to answer
22.0

To what extent do you support or oppose the idea of forming a national salvation authority through which Hamas can join in the ruling? (Source: JMCC, March 1999)

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip 
Support 
43.3
44.3
41.5
In between
37.7
34.0
44.1
Oppose
12.5
12.9
11.9
No answer
6.5
8.8
2.5

Which position serves Hamas best, Taking power , participating in the authority with other or not participating at all in the authority? (Source: JMCC, March 1999)  

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip 
Taking power
10.2
9.2
11.9
Participating the authority with others
59.4
62.3
54.3
Not participating at all
21.5
16.4
30.4
No answer
8.9
12.1
3.7

Fateh movement is considered the main party in the Authority while Hamas is considered the main opposition pole; to what extent do you believe in the possibility of any cooperation between them? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 2001)

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip 
Great opportunity
12.9
10.3
17.6
Small opportunity
54.7
56.4
51.8
No opportunity at all 
27.4
26.5
28.8
No answer
5.0
6.8
1.8

Do you believe that the wave of agitations and confrontations of last month was to benefit to the Palestinian cause? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

 
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
The confrontations were beneficial to the Palestinian cause 77.2 72.8 83.6
The confrontations were not beneficial to the Palestinian cause 10.8 13.2 6.7
The confrontations were detrimental to the Palestinian cause 6.9 7.5 6.3
No answer 5.1 6.5 3.4

During and in the aftermath of the incidents last month, how do you evaluate the performance of the PNA in benefiting from them? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

 
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
The PNA used these incidents in a manner beneficial to the Palestinian cause 56.5 54.6 61.2
The PNA did not use these incidents in a manner beneficial to the Palestinian cause 10.3 12.1 5.6
The PNA used them but not effectively 28.1 27.9 28.9
No answer 5.1 5.4 4.3

Some believe that the intervention of the Palestinian security forces in last month's confrontations was correct and the others believe that it was not. What is your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

 
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
The intervention of the security forces was correct
90.2
88.0
94.2
The intervention of the security forces was not correct
4.8
5.3
3.8
Other
1.1
1.4
0.7
No answer
3.9
5.3
1.3

Do you think armed resistance against Israel is still legitimate under the current political situation? (Source: JMCC Poll, Palestinian Attitudes, June 1995)

 
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
Yes
43.2
46.7
34.7
No
43.3
37.7
53.5
Other
2.1
1.5
3.2
No opinion
12.3
14.1
8.7

Do you support the continuation of military operations against Israeli targets as an adequate response to the current political conditions, or do you oppose it and see it as harmful to Palestinian national interests? (Source: JMCC Poll)

 
April 1997
May 1997
April 2001
September 2002
Support military operations (within current political conditions)
39.8
34.2
35.7
69.5
Oppose military operations (because of Palestinian national interests)
47.7
52.7
56.0
23.2
Others
--
--
--
0.9
I don't know
--
9.0
--
5.4
No answer
12.5
4.1
8.3
1.0

What about the intensification of Palestinian demonstration and protests against Israel? Do you support or oppose this intensification of Palestinian demonstrations and protests against Israel? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Support intensification
62.7%
59.5%
67.8%
Oppose intensification
28.6%
29.5%
27.2%
No answer
8.8%
11.1%
5.0%

These are numerous ideas for solving the problems stemming from the recent violations of some aspects of the agreement (Abu Ghniem, Har Homa, closure of institutions, etc...) Some believe that the answer is to intensify the negotiations, other say the negotiations should be stopped, and others say the answer lies in intensifying popular protests. What is your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)  

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Intensify the negotiations 
33.9%
31.5%
37.8%
Negotiations should be stopped 
25.7%
25.0%
26.7%
Intensify popular protests
19.3%
30.1%
27.8%
Others
3.5%
4.3%
2.2%
No answer
7.7%
9.1%
5.4%

In your opinion what should the PA (Palestinian Authority) do regarding popular protests. Do you think the PA should encourage these protests, should not interfere in these protests, or should the PA prevent these protests? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)  

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Encourage these protests
31.3%
25.9%
40.0%
Not interfere in these protests
37.5%
45.4%
24.8%
PA should prevent these protests 
23.1%
19.1%
29.6%
No answer 
8.1%
9.6%
5.7%

* Similar question asked in same poll

Follow up: If you answered yes, why?* (JMCC Poll, Palestinian Attitudes, June 1995)

It's the best way to regain our rights, no other solution
24.4

It's an alternative to the peace process, the peace process is not in our best interest

8.3
Because occupation still exists, to liberate our country
18.3
As pressure on Israel
13.7
Israel understands only power, because of Israeli provocations, revenge
18.1
For the sake of Islam, to liberate Islamic holy sites
9.4
Other
5.4
No opinion
2.4

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, the PA preventing violence against Israeli soldiers? (JMCC, March 2000)

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Strongly support
5.6
5.2
5.0
Somewhat support
22.8
26.5
23.5
Somewhat oppose
30.2
28.3
29.2
Strongly oppose
36.6
34.5
36.8
No answer
4.8
5.5
5.5

Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilian settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, I…. (PCPSR)

 
December 2001
May 2002
August 2002
November 2002
April 2003
December 2003

1. Strongly support

50.8
45.9

53.2

50.8
55.3
52.0

2. Support

41.3
43.4

38.0

38.3
35.9
34.2

3. Oppose

6.2
8.1

6.3

7.3
5.9
9.9

4. Strongly oppose

0.4
0.9

0.4

0.5
1.1
1.1

5. No Opinion /Don’t Know

1.3
1.7

2.1

3.1
1.8
2.7

 

 

 

 


Concerning armed attacks against Israeli soldiers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, I…. (PCPSR)

 
July 2001
December 2001
May 2002
August 2002
November 2002
April 2003
December 2003

1. Strongly support

56.0

48.2
46.7

51.0

50.8
58.0
55.5

2. Support

35.7

44.1
44.9

40.8

40.2
34.8
31.4

3. Oppose

5.3

5.8
5.8

5.2

5.6
4.1
9.2

4. Strongly oppose

1.3

0.7
1.1

0.8

0.5
0.9
1.1

5. No Opinion /Don’t Know

1.7

1.1
1.6

2.2

2.8
2.1
2.7

 

 

 

 

 

Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel, I…. (PCPSR)

 
November 2002
April 2003
December 2003
Strongly support
25.2%
32.2%
25.1%
Support
28.0%
25.1%
22.4%
Oppose
38.4%
35.1%
41.8%
Strongly oppose
4.8%
4.9%
7.7%
No opinion/Don't know
3.6%
2.8%
2.9%

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, the PA preventing violence against Jewish settlers? (Source: JMCC, March 2000)  

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
N= 1200
N=762
N=438
Strongly support  
6.3
 
6.0
6.8 
Somewhat support  
17.6
 
21.0
 
11.6
Somewhat oppose  
28.3
 
28.7
 
27.4
Strongly oppose  
43.2
 
39.2
 
50.3
No answer  
4.6
5.1 
 
3.9

Internal Palestinian efforts are underway to create a consensus around means of fighting Israeli occupation. These efforts call for cessation of armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel. Do you support or oppose these efforts? (Source: PSR, August 2002)

 
Total  (3/00)
Total (9/02) (*PSR)
West Bank (3/00)
West Bank (9/02) *PSR
Gaza Strip(3/00)
Gaza Strip (9/02) *PSR
 
N= 1200
--
N=762
--
N=438
--
Strongly support  
19.0
5.8
 
18.2
5.9
20.4 
5.5
Somewhat support  
36.3
37.7 (Support)
 
38.6
41.6 (Support)
 
32.2
31.4 (Support)
Somewhat oppose  
20.4
38.7 (Oppose)
 
19.0
35.9 (Oppose)
 
22.8
43.2 (Oppose)
Strongly oppose  
18.8
14.3
 
18.4
12.0
 
19.6
17.9
No answer  
5.5
3.6 (DK/NO)
5.8 
4.6
5.0

2.0

Do you strongly, or somewhat, support or strongly, or somewhat, oppose stopping all kind of operations inside Israel ? (Source: JMCC Poll)  

 
Total  (12/02)
Total (10/03)
West Bank (12/02)
West Bank (10/03)
Gaza Strip (12/02)
Gaza Strip (10/03)
 
N=1199
N=1198
N=759
N=758
N=440
N=440
Strongly support
12.3 
12.7
14.9 
14.9
8.0 
8.9
Somewhat support  
18.2
26.8
 
18.4
32.6
 
17.7
16.8
Strongly oppose  
28.7
28.3
 
26.6
22.3
 
32.3
32.7
Somewhat oppose  
32.4
28.5
 
28.3
25.7
 
39.3
39.1
I don't know/No opinion  
6.8
3.0
9.5 
3.7
 
2.3
1.8
No answer
1.6
0.7
2.3
0.8
0.4
0.7

Some say that the ideal way to achieve Palestinian national goals is through negotiations, others say through armed struggle, what is the opinion closer to your viewpoint? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 2001)  

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
N= 1201
N=761
N=440
Negotiations
22.8
26.3
16.8
Armed struggle
37.8
36.5
40.0
Negotiations and armed struggle
36.6
33.1
42.5
No answer
2.8
4.1
0.7

Are you with the resumption of the military operations only inside Israel, only inside the occupied territories or inside Israel and the occupied territories? (Source: JMCC Poll, September 2002)  

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
 
N=1199
N=759
N=440
Inside Israel only
20.5 
20.8 
20.0 
Inside  the occupied territories only
12.2 
14.4 
8.4 
Inside  Israel and the occupied territories
46.1 
38.5 
59.3 
I am not with the resumption of the military operations
16.3 
19.6 
10.7 
No answer
4.9 
6.7
1.6 

And what about Hizbullah methods and the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, do you think the Palestinians should emulate these Lebanese methods? (Source: PSR, July 2000)

 
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip

1) Definitely yes

30.6

29.1

32.9

2) Yes

32.8

33.1

32.4

3) No

22.4

22.9

21.8

4) Definitely no

6.5

7.6

4.9

5) No opinion/Don't know

7.6

7.4

8.0