62 percent of Palestinians support suicide attacks – poll

Jerusalem Post ^ | Nov. 6, 2003 | KHALED ABU TOAMEH

[yonif]

A majority of Palestinians continues to support suicide attacks against Israeli civilians, according to a new public opinion poll published on Thursday by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center (JMCC). The poll found that 61.8 percent of Palestinians supported suicide attacks, while 34.9% are opposed to this form of terrorism.

Another 67.9% said they supported the resumption of "military operations" against Israel "as a suitable response within the current political conditions." Twenty-eight percent said they rejected such attacks and because they find them harmful to Palestinian national interests.

A majority of 42.3% said they supported the resumption of attacks inside Israel and the West Bank and Gaza Strip as opposed to 14.1% who said the attacks should be restricted only to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. More than 23.5% of those polled voiced opposition to the resumption of terrorist attacks on both sides of the Green Line.

The poll, which covered a random sample of 1198 people over the age of 18 – 758 in the West Bank, and 440 in the Gaza Strip. It was conducted between October 18 and 21, with a 3% margin of error, and a confidence level of 95.

JMCC public opinion polls are supported by a fund from Fredrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation in Germany.

Of those surveyed, 58.9% are pessimistic about the future in general, while another 71.9% are not optimistic about the chances of reaching a peaceful settlement for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In regard to the intifada, 76.8% supported its continuation, with only 21.7% saying that they want to see an end to the violence. In response to a question about the end results of the of the intifada, 44.6% said the goal should be ending the occupation on the basis of UN Resolution 242 and establishing a Palestinian state. Another 43.0% said the intifada should end in the liberation of all of historic Palestine.

However, 45.7% said they supported the two-state formula as the best solution for the conflict as opposed to 25.3% who said that the best solution would be a bi-national state on all of historic Palestine.

The poll showed that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat continues to enjoy Palestinian support, with 59.8% saying they would expect him to be re-elected if free and democratic elections were held today, as opposed to 30.8% that did not expect Arafat to win.

[yonif]

But most around the world, including this US administration, say that these terrorists are "fringe" groups of their society, and groups that the "peaceful" Palestinian Arabs do not support....

[Ashamed Canadian]

Remember them all celebrating in the streets after 9-11....says it all, really.

[yonif]

The poll found that 61.8 percent of Palestinians supported suicide attacks

Terrorist groups, like Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, are supported by a majority of this Arab population. They are mainstream in their society....

[Ashamed Canadian]

Hell, isn't Hezbollah a political party that has seats in Lebanese parliament? Hello people, time to smell the coffee.

[theDentist]

Another way of saying it: "62% of Palestinians Hateful, Useful Idiots"

[Mark17]

62 percent of Palestinians support suicide attacks – poll

You mean, ONLY 62%. I thought it would have been much higher.

[onedoug]

Islamist death cult.

No Arab state in Eretz Yisrael.

EVER!

[ozzymandus]

So why don't 62% of palestinians commit suicide and get it over with?

[ken5050]

The, ahem.."margin of error" in this case should be 100%

[No Blue States]

right, the surprise here is the 34.9% who are opposed to this form of terrorism.
It seems there was a poll a month or 2 ago that had 70%ish in support of homicide bombers.
Maybe the IDF operations are having an effect.
anyway, kill those 60% and the world will be a better, safer place.

[Egon]

This tells me everything I need to know about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

[Naspino]

This might be of interest POll from 2001

[TommyDale]

"So why don't 62% of palestinians commit suicide and get it over with?"

Excellent solution!

[yonif]

Most support terrorism there. The poll you are referring to was one which asked did you support that bombing of that resturant in Haifa, over 70% did. This is a general question as to whether you support terrorism.

[yonif]

bttt

[yonif]

http://homepage.mac.com/cfj/.Movies/palestinians-celebrate-911.mpg

[cardinal4]

But most around the world, including this US administration, say that these terrorists are "fringe" groups of their society, and groups that the "peaceful" Palestinian Arabs do not support....

62% is not a fringe group..

[Our man in washington]

I suggest a new poll:

"Would you support homicide attacks if you knew there was a 100 percent chance that the Israelis would burn the home of the terrorist as well as all homes in the neighborhood, kill 1,000 Palestinians for every Israeli who dies, permanently extend Israel's border into the west bank by 1000 feet for every Israeli who dies, and force all Palestinians off of the appropriated land?"

The results might be interesting, and rather useful in formulating future Israeli policy.

[Lee Heggy]

"61.8 percent of Palestinians supported suicide attacks, 67.9% said they supported the resumption of "military operations" against Israel"

That leaves 6.1% that don't want to commit suicide out of the two groups, (which I think are probably the same group) OK, bring on the 6.1% that want to fight and let them duke it out with the IDF and let the the 61.8% commit suicide. Done.

[stevem]

I wonder what percent of these wannabees would approve of leading a suicide attack i.e. being a focal point.