The Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre, which was established in 1988 by a group of Palestinian journalists and researchers seeking to provide information on what was happening in what it calls the “occupied Palestinian territories”, has released a new poll. It is based on a random sample of 1199 people over the age of 18 interviewed face-to-face throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip between the 17th and 21st of February 2017.
There are some very interesting results. Very interesting.
Only a little over half define themselves as “Palestinian”
I think this is rather damning. While a majority (52.5%) define themselves as “Palestinian”, this is a rather low percentage considering how this identity has been rammed down the world’s throat for the last half century. 21.7% identify as “Muslim”, 5.3% as “Arab”, 8.2% as “Other definition” and 4.5% did not know!
More palestinians polled blame electricity problems in Gaza on Hamas and PA than on Israel
Despite the narrative being peddled by many, a majority of those polled (53%) believe Hamas and the PA are more responsible for “the aggravation of the electricity crisis” in Gaza than Israel (42%). Maybe B’tselem and others need to get on their case.
Almost a third of palestinians polled support terrorism
While the poll reveals more (38%) supports peaceful negotiations, almost as many (30%) support “armed resistance.”
Way more support laws based on Sharia Law than on Civil Law
The largest percentage of those polled (42.5%) said they would support laws based on Islamic Sharia, as opposed to 14.7% who said they should be based on Civil Law.
A large majority think the PA (our “peace partners”) are corrupt
A huge 75% think there is corruption in the PA, as opposed to 16% who think there isn’t.
Most don’t trust any of their leaders
When asked “Which Palestinian personality do you trust the most?,” the largest percentage (35%) said they don’t trust anyone, followed (not) closely by “Others” (15.2%) and then Mahmoud Abbas (12.4%).
