Public Opinion Poll Unit Jerusalem Media & Communication Center - JMCC
PO Box 25047 - Jerusalem
Tel. 02-5819777 Fax: 02-5829534
Email: poll@jmcc.org
Website: www.jmcc.org

Poll no. 54 May, 2005
Poll Result On Palestinian Attitudes Towards
The Palestinian Political Issues

A random sample of 1200 people over the age of 18 were interviewed
face-to-face throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip between 2nd and 7th of
May 2005.
In the West Bank 759 people were surveyed. In the Gaza Strip: 441 people
were surveyed.
The margin of error is 3 percent, with a confidence level of 95.

Sample Distribution
53.3% of the respondents were from West Bank, 9.9% from Jerusalem, 36.8%
from the Gaza Strip.
29.4% said they live in villages, 16.0% in refugee camps, and 54.6% in
towns/cities.
52.3% were male, 47.7% were female.
68.3 % were married, 24.9%, single, 2.4% widowed, 2.5% divorced, 1.9% no
answer.
The average age of the respondents was 34 years.

Occupation of Respondents
Students 13.5%
laborers 11.7%,
Farmers/fishermen 3.5%
Craftsmen 2.1%
Businessmen/private business 8.8%
Employees e.g. secretaries/municipal employees/teachers/nurses 17.3%
Professionals - e.g. doctors/lawyers/ pharmacists/engineers 1.2%
Housewives 32.3%
Unemployed 7.8%
Retired 1.2%,
No answer 0.6%.

Results:

Q.1 In general how optimistic or pessimistic do you feel towards the future?

Total
Very optimistic 5.8 Optimistic 55.5 Pessimistic25.4 Very Pessimistic 13.0
No answer 0.3
West Bank
Very optimistic 4.3 Optimistic 51.6 Pessimistic 27.5 Very Pessimistic 16.1
No answer 0.5
Gaza
Very optimistic 8.4 Optimistic 62.1 Pessimistic 21.8 Very Pessimistic 7.7
No answer 0.0

Q.2 Do you think that Al-Aqsa Intifada that started four years ago is
finished or still exists?
Total
Still exists 49.8 Is finished 46.5 No answer 3.7
West Bank
Still exists 42.7 Is finished 53.4 No answer 3.9
Gaza
Still exists 61.9 Is finished 34.7 No answer 3.4

Q.3 Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly
oppose the continuation of Al-Aqsa Intifada in the West Bank and Gaza strip?
Total
Strongly support 14.5 Somewhat support 38.8
Somewhat oppose 30.8 Strongly oppose13.3 No answer 2.6
West Bank
Strongly support 13.2 Somewhat support 39.4
Somewhat oppose 30.2 Strongly oppose 14.2 No answer 3.0
Gaza
Strongly support 16.8 Somewhat support 37.6
Somewhat oppose 31.7 Strongly oppose 11.8 No answer 2.1

Q.4 How do you feel towards suicide bombing operations against Israeli
civilians? do you support them, or oppose them?
Total
Strongly support 17.9 Somewhat support 31.8
Somewhat oppose 32.3 Strongly oppose15.7 No answer 2.3
West Bank
Strongly support 15.7 Somewhat support 30.2
Somewhat oppose 33.1 Strongly oppose18.1 No answer 2.9
Gaza
Strongly support 21.8 Somewhat support 34.7
Somewhat oppose 31.1 Strongly oppose11.6 No answer0.8

Q.5 Do you support the resumption of the military operations against Israeli
targets as a suitable response within the current political conditions, or
do you reject them and find them harmful to Palestinians national interests
?
Suitable response within the current political conditions 36.2
I reject them and find them harmful to Palestinian national interests 57.2
Others 1.1 I don't know 4.2 no answer 1.3

Q.6 Under the current conditions, some believe that the peace process is
dead and there is no chance in resuming the negotiations, while others see
that the peace process is passing through difficult conditions with unclear
future, a third group believes that the peace process is still alive and
there is a possibility of resuming negotiations.

Total
The peace process is dead and there is no chance of resuming the
negotiations 24.7
The peace process is passing through difficult conditions with an unclear
future 47.9
The peace process is still alive and there is a possibility of resuming
negotiations 24.8
Others 0.5 Don't know \ no answer 2.1
West Bank
The peace process is dead 27.0 difficult conditions with an unclear future
48.4
The peace process is still alive 21.3 Others 0.7 Don't know \ no answer 2.6
Gaza
The peace process is dead 20.6 difficult conditions with an unclear future
47.2
The peace process is still alive 30.8 Others 0.2 Don't know \ no answer 1.2

Q.7 Some believe that a two-state formula is the favored solution for the
Arab-Israeli conflict, while others believe that historic Palestine cannot
be divided and thus the favored solution is a bi-national state on all of
Palestine wherein Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal representation and
rights. Which of these solutions do you prefer?

Total
Two-state solution: an Israeli and a Palestinian 54.0
Bi-national state on all of historic Palestine 27.3
One Palestinian state *7.8
Islamic state *3.1
Others 0.3 There are no solution 5.1 Do not know\ No answer 2.4
West Bank
Two-state solution 58.4 Bi-national state 24.9 One Palestinian state *5.4
Islamic state *4.1 Others 0.1 no solution 5.0 Do not know\ No answer 2.1
Gaza
Two-state solution 46.5 Bi-national state 31.3 One Palestinian state *12.0
Islamic state *1.4 Others 0.5 no solution 5.2 Do not know\ No answer 3.1
*These answers were not included as part of the options read to the
interviewee

Q.8 Which Palestinian personality do you trust the most?
Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazin) 24.8
Marwan al-Barghouthi 5.7
Mahmoud al-Zahhar 5.4
Khaled Mish'al 3.1
Mustafa al-Barghouthi 2.3
Isma'eel Hanieh 2.0
Ahmad Sa'adat 1.9
Sa'eb I'erikat 1.3
Yasser Arafat 1.1
Hassan Yousef 1.1
Abu Ala' 1.0
Others 13.5
I don't trust anybody 32.9
No answer 3.9
* The question was an open-ended one

Q. 9 Which Palestinian political or religious faction do you trust most?

Total
Fateh 36.1 Hamas 19.8 Islamic Jihad 3.7
PFLP 2.9 PPP 1.1 DFLP 0.4 FIDA 0.4
AL-Aqsa brigades 0.3 Other Islamic Factions 2.3
Others 1.1 I don't trust any Faction 28.2 No answer 3.7
West Bank
Fateh 35.6 Hamas 18.6 Islamic Jihad 3.4
PFLP 2.9 PPP 1.7 DFLP 0.3 FIDA 0.5
AL-Aqsa brigades 0.1 Other Islamic Factions 2.0
Others 0.8 I don't trust any Faction 30.7 No answer 3.4
Gaza
Fateh 37.0 Hamas 22.0 Islamic Jihad 4.1
PFLP 2.9 PPP 0.0 DFLP 0.7 FIDA 0.2
AL-Aqsa brigades 0.5 Other Islamic Factions 2.9
Others 1.6 I don't trust any Faction 23.8 No answer 4.3
* The question was an open-ended one

Q. 10 In general, how do you evaluate the performance of the PLC?
Very good 2.8 Good 37.8
Bad 32.8 Very Bad 23.2 No answer 3.4

Q.11 Are you going to vote in the coming PLC's elections?
Yes 75.1 No 21.5 No answer 3.4

Q.11-a why aren't you going to vote?
I am not convinced in the PLC/ I don't trust the PLC 25.0
I don't trust anyone 20.4
I have no trust in the credibility of the elections 18.5
I don't like to/ I don't want/ I am not convinced 8.8
Personal reasons 5.4 Religious reasons 5.0 Political reasons 2.7
Others 8.5 No answer 5.7
* this question was asked to those who answered no in q 11

Q.12 To what extent will you take the following factors into consideration
when you vote in the next elections?*
1.Democracy awareness
Very important 68.5 Important 20.6
Somewhat important 8.1 Not important at all8.1
2. Political Affiliation
Very important 61.3 Important 22.6
Somewhat important 10.5 Not important 4.0
Not important at all 1.4 No answer 0.2
3. Religious Factor
Very important 64.1 Important 18.8
Somewhat important 11.5 Not important 4.0
Not important at all 1.2 No answer 0.4
4. History of struggle
Very important 60.5 Important 25.6
Somewhat important 9.3 Not important 4.2
Not important at all 0.1 No answer 0.3
5. Education
Very important 67.9 Important 24.7
Somewhat important 6.0 Not important 1.1
Not important at all 0.1 No answer 0.2
6. Residence
Very important 34.9 Important 24.8
Somewhat important 17.9 Not important 18.7
Not important at all 3.2 No answer 0.5
7. Social Status
Very important 31.0 Important 29.5
Somewhat important 21.1 Not important 14.2
Not important at all 3.6 No answer 0.6
8. Reputation
Very important 66.6 Important 20.2
Somewhat important 9.1 Not important 3.1
Not important at all 0.4 No answer 0.6
9. Family Relations
Very important 28.1 Important 27.9
Somewhat important 22.4 Not important 15.8
Not important at all 5.1 No answer 0.7
10. Gender
Very important 26.6 Important 21.9
Somewhat important 19.6 Not important 25.3
Not important at all 6.5 No answer 0.1
11. Age
Very important 23.2 Important 29.3
Somewhat important 24.4 Not important 18.7
Not important at all 3.6 No answer 0.8
12. Campaign
Very important 50.3 Important 28.0
Somewhat important 12.8 Not important 6.8
Not important at all 1.9 No answer 0.2
* These questions were asked only to those who answered yes in q 11

Q13) What will be the base of your choice of candidates in the PLC
elections?
Total
Political Affiliation 27.7
Personal Competence 58.3
Geographical Grounds (The place where the Candidate comes from) 2.6
Relatives and family 1.2
Religious Grounds 10.0
No answer 0.2
West Bank
Political Affiliation 30.2
Personal Competence 59.5
Geographical Grounds (The place where the Candidate comes from) 2.7
Relatives and family 0.9
Religious Grounds 6.5
No answer0.2
Gaza
Political Affiliation 23.6
Personal Competence 56.3
Geographical Grounds (The place where the Candidate comes from) 2.3
Relatives and family 1.7
Religious Grounds 15.7
No answer 0.4
* This questions was asked only to those who answered yes in q 11

Q. 14 If the PLC elections were based on the PLO's political program versus
the opposition political program, which one you will choose?
PLO'S Political Program 59.8 Opposition political program 33.9
No answer 6.3
* This question was asked only to those who answered yes in q 11

Q. 15 If the PLC elections programs were based on secular trends versus
fundamentalist trends, which of them will you choose?
Total
Secular Trends 38.6 Fundamentalist trends 48.6 No answer 12.8
West Bank
Secular Trends 44.8 Fundamentalist trends 48.4 No answer 6.8
Gaza
Secular Trends 28.6 Fundamentalist trends 49.0 No answer 22.4
* This question was asked only to those who answered yes in q 11

Q.16 Do you think that same PLC candidates will be elected, some of them,
or none of them?
Some Candidates shall be elected 14.5
Some of the PLC Candidates shall be elected 47.9
None of them shall be elected 30.8
No answer 6.8

Q.17 Do you agree or disagree for a PLC member to be a minister in the
government at the same time?
Total
I disagree 60.5 I don't mind 33.8 No answer 5.7
West Bank
I disagree 53.8 I don't mind 39.3 No answer 6.9
Gaza
I disagree 72.1 I don't mind 24.5 No answer 3.4

Q.18 In light of the recent PLC ratification of the general budget, are you
satisfied or dissatisfied with the PNA administration of public funds?
Satisfied 29.8 Dissatisfied 61.8 No answer 8.5

Q.19 Do you think there is corruption in the PNA?
Total Yes 61.9 No 22.8 I don't Know13.2 No answer 2.1
West Bank
Yes 56.3 No 27.0 I don't Know 14.4 No answer 2.3
Gaza
Yes71.7 No 15.4 I don't Know 11.1 No answer 1.8

Q . 19-a Please define the most important corruption factors?
Financial & administrative corruption 37.3
Favoritism 22.2
Security corruption10.2
Corruption in all aspects & fields 8.7
Judicial corruption and no enforcement of the rule of the law 4.3
Corruption of senior officials 3.5
Moral corruption 3.1
Political corruption 2.7
Others 5.5 No answer 2.5
* This question was asked only to those who answered yes in q 19

Q.20 Please define the most important signs of corruption as you see them?
1- Public Funds
Improved 27.8 Fell Back 29.0 No change 42.1 I Don't Know\ no answer 1.1
2- Civil Service System
Improved 25.3 Fell Back 26.1 No change 47.5 I Don't Know\ no answerm1.1
3- The rule of the law
Improved 26.7 Fell Back 27.2 No change 54.0 I Don't Know\ no answer 1.1
4- Security Service System
Improved 31.6 Fell Back 27.6 No change 39.8 I Don't Know\ no answer 1.0

Q.21 In general, how do you evaluate the performance of the PNA, do you say
it is:
Very good 3.8 Good 46.5 Bad 35.7 Very Bad 11.2
No answer 2.8

Q.22 Do you think the President (Abu Mazen) is doing his job well as a
president of the PNA?
Good 23.8 Fairly good 52.5 Bad 20.7 No answer 3.0

Q.23 In general, how do you evaluate the performance of President Abu Mazen,
are you:
Very satisfied 11.1 Somewhat satisfied 47.6
Somewhat dissatisfied 27.3 Not satisfied at all 11.3
No answer 2.7

Q.24 After 100 days have passed since Abu Mazen took office as a president
of the PNA, to what extent do you think he has succeeded in achieving his
election campaign programs on enforcing order and the rule of the law?
Total
To great extent 7.9 To certain extent 38.3
To a low extent 35.7 He didn't succeed at all 14.2
No answer 3.9
West Bank
To great extent 8.6 To certain extent 39.5
To a low extent 31.0 He didn't succeed at all 15.4
No answer 5.5
Gaza
To great extent 6.8 To certain extent 36.3
To a low extent 43.8 He didn't succeed at all 12.0
No answer 1.1

Q.25 What do you think about the Political situation of the Palestinian's
people since Abu Mazen assumed his authorities as a president of the PNA, do
you think it has become better, didn't' change, or worse than it was before?
Better than it was before 35.0 No change 49.3 Worse than before 13.1 No
answer 2.6

Q.26 what about the Economic situation since Abu Mazen became a president
of the PNA?
Total
Better than it was before 22.9 No change 54.4 Worse than before 21.1 No
answer 1.6
West Bank
Better than it was before 19.6 No change 60.3 Worse than before 18.2 No
answer 1.9
Gaza
Better than it was before 28.6 No change 44.2 Worse than before 26.1 No
answer 1.1

Q.27 What do you think about Sharon's unilateral Withdrawal from Gaza, do
you think this step is good to achieve peace or it might be a bad step for
the peace process between both sides?
Total
It's a good step for peace 52.8
It might be a bad step that will effect the peace between both parties 33.4
No answer 13.8
West Bank
good step50.3 might be a bad step 36.2 No answer13.5
Gaza
good step 57.1 might be a bad step 28.6 No answer14.3

Q.28 Do you think maintaining the calm (ceasefire) between the Palestinians
and Israelis until the end of 2005 serves the interests of the Palestinian
people?
Total
It will serve the interests of the Palestinian people 65.2
I don't think it's good for the Palestinians 29.6 No answer5.2
West Bank
It will serve the interests of the Palestinian people 61.7
I don't think it's good for the Palestinians 32.9 No answer 5.4
Gaza
It will serve the interests of the Palestinian people 71.2
I don't think it's good for the Palestinians 23.8 No answer 5.0

Q.29 Do you agree or disagree for the security services using force against
those who oppose ceasefire as stipulated in Cairo dialogue?
Total
I agree 38.5 I disagree 54.6 No answer 6.9
West Bank
I agree 41.0 I disagree 52.3 No answer 6.7
Gaza
I agree 34.2 I disagree 58.5 No answer 7.3