An-Najah National University
Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies
Tel: (972) (9) 2345113 Fax: (972)(9) 2345982
Nablus – Palestinian: P.O.Box 7, 707
Email: Polls@najah.edu hussein596@yahoo.com
Results of Palestinian Public Opinion Poll
No. 43
13-15 October 2011

The Results
Following are the results of the Palestinian Public Opinion Poll no. 43
conducted by the Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah
National University during the period from 13-15 October 2011. The
University sponsors all polls conducted by its Center.

The sample included 1361 persons whose age group is 18 and above and who
have the right to vote. The enclosed questionnaire was distributed on 861
persons from the West Bank and 500 persons from the Gaza Strip. The sample
was drawn randomly and the margin of error is about ±3%; still 2.4% of the
members of the sample refused to answer the questionnaire.

_____________________________________________________________________
The opinions represented in the results reflect those of the study; they do
not, by any means, represent the opinion of An-Najah National University.

The General Results of the Poll

Do you think that submitting a bid by the PLO and the PA to recognize the
State of Palestine in the UN was a positive move that serves the Palestinian
cause?
Yes 77.7
No 19.1
No opinion/I do not know 3.2
Total 100.0

Do you think that the PLO and the PA conducted a good diplomatic campaign
when they submitted the bid of recognition at the UN?
Yes 73.0
No 19.9
No opinion/I do not know 7.1
Total 100.0

How, in your opinion, does the bid of recognition influence the Palestinian
cause?
Positively 56.2
No influence 21.4
Negatively 17.6
No opinion/I do not know 4.8
Total 100.0

Do you think that the Security Council will vote in favor of the creation of
the Palestinian State.?
Yes 45.4
No 43.5
No opinion/I do not know 11.1
Total 100.0

Do you think that the PLO and the PA are capable of securing 9 votes in the
Security Council to guarantee a recognition of the Palestinian State?
Yes 54.7
No 32.5
No opinion/I do not know 12.9
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Since the US has threatened to use the Vito at the Security Council against
the recognition of the Palestinian State, do you think that the US will use
the Vito?
Yes 67.1
No 22.6
No opinion/I do not know 10.4
Total 100.0

If the US uses the Vito at the Security Council against the recognition of
the State of Palestine, do you think that the Vito will encourage Israel to
proceed in its policy in the Palestinian Territories?
Yes 82.6
No 11.3
No opinion/I do not know 6.1
Total 100.0

Do you think that the USA will pursue every possible way that is within its
reach to salvage the peace process?
Yes 24.6
No 69.6
No opinion/I do not know 5.8
Total 100.0

Do you think that the Palestinian State can only be established through
negotiations?
Yes 29.8
No 64.4
No opinion/I do not know 5.8
Total 100.0

Do think that there will be any use from negotiations without acceptable
frames of reference and without the freezing of settlement activities?
Yes 14.7
No 79.4
No opinion/I do not know 5.9
Total 100.0

Do you think that the USA is an impartial broker in the peace process
between the PA and Israel?
Yes 13.4
No 82.5
No opinion/I do not know 4.1
Total 100.0

Do you think that the European Union is an impartial broker in the peace
process between the PA and Israel?
Yes 34.2
No 57.8
No opinion/I do not know 8.0
Total 100.0

Do you think that the International Quartet is an impartial broker in the
peace process between the PA and Israel?
Yes 27.5
No 59.8
No opinion/I do not know 12.7
Total 100.0

If the Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition
influence negotiations on the issue of refugees?
Positively 42.5
No influence 23.4
Negatively 29.8
No opinion/I do not know 4.4
Total 100.0

If the Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition
influence negotiations on the issue of Jerusalem?
Positively 40.6
No influence 20.7
Negatively 32.5
No opinion/I do not know 6.1
Total 100.0

If the Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition
influence negotiations on the issue of borders?
Positively 40.3
No influence 20.6
Negatively 32.2
No opinion/I do not know 6.9
Total 100.0

Do you support or reject holding talks between the PA and the Israeli
government if Israel continues its settlement activities in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem?
I support 18.4
I reject 77.7
No opinion/I do not know 3.9
Total 100.0

Do you think that it is possible to reach a lasting solution for the
Palestinian Israeli conflict in view of the current circumstances,?
Yes 22.7
No 72.2
No opinion/I do not know 5.1
Total 100.0

Do you think that the USA and the European countries have a duplicity of
standards when they support the demands of the popular revolutions in the
Arab countries and do not support similar Palestinian demands?
Yes 68.6
No 20.9
No opinion/I do not know 10.4
Total 100.0

Do you expect an eruption of a third intifada in the Palestinian
Territories?
Yes 57.2
No 35.3
No opinion/I do not know 7.4
Total 100.0

Do you support or reject the rise of an armed uprising (intifada)?
Total
I support 36.0
I reject 57.6
No opinion/I do not know 6.4
Total 100.0
West Bank
I support 28.0
I reject 67.9
No opinion/I do not know 4.1
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
I support 49.8
I reject 39.8
No opinion/I do not know 10.4
Total 100.0

Do you support or reject the rise of nonviolent and unarmed popular
resistance?
I support 58.3
I reject 35.9
No opinion/I do not know 5.7
Total 100.0

Do you think that the surrounding Arab and international circumstances
necessitate concluding a national reconciliation agreement between Fateh and
Hamas?
Yes 77.4
No 18.7
No opinion/I do not know 3.9
Total 100.0

Do you think that it is possible to reach a national reconciliation
agreement between Fateh and Hamas in the near future?
Yes 70.6
No 22.3
No opinion/I do not know 7.1
Total 100.0

In case a national reconciliation agreement is signed, what do you think the
consequences will be?
Speeding the Peace process 40.3
Entangling and stopping the peace process 24.5
It will not have any effect 27.6
No opinion/I do not know 7.6
Total 100.0

Are you content with the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached
between Israel and Hamas which will lead to the release of Gilad Shalit in
return for releasing 1027 Palestinian prisoners some of whom are sentenced
to long term imprisonment?
Yes 86.1
No 11.0
No opinion/I do not know 2.9
Total 100.0

Do you think that the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached
between Israel and Hamas will increase the popularity of Hamas among
Palestinians?
Total
Yes 67.7
No 25.3
No opinion/I do not know 6.9
Total 100.0
West Bank
Yes 75.5
No 19.7
No opinion/I do not know 4.8
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Yes 54.4
No 35.0
No opinion/I do not know 10.6
Total 100.0

Do you think that the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached
between Israel and Hamas will speed the reconciliation process?
Yes 63.5
No 27.0
No opinion/I do not know 9.5
Total 100.0

Why do you think that Israel agreed to conclude a prisoners exchange deal at
this particular time?
To curb the current internal waves of protests and strikes 49.2
Because of the conditions that prevailed after the Arab Springs 16.8
Because the PLO submitted a bid for the recognition of the Palestinian State
in the UN 23.7
No opinion/I do not know 10.2
Total 100.0

Why do you think that Hamas agreed to conclude a prisoners exchange deal at
this particular time?
To obtain a commitment from Israel not to assassinate Hamas leaders if they
leave Damascus 15.3
To increase its popularity among Palestinians People 40.6
Because of the conditions that prevailed after the Arab Springs 12.6
Because the PLO submitted a bid for the recognition of the Palestinian State
in the UN 15.9
No opinion/I do not know 15.5
Total 100.0

Do you supported conducting presidential elections despite the Palestinian
division?
I support 33.1
I reject 62.5
No opinion/I do not know 4.3
Total 100.0

If presidential elections are held in the present time, to whom from among
the following do you give your vote?
An independent candidate 6.7
A candidate from the left 2.2
A candidate from Hamas 7.9
A candidate from Fateh 27.6
A national independent candidate 7.1
An Islamic independent candidate 3.6
I will not participate in the elections 22.0
I have not decided yet 23.0
Total 100.0

Do you supported conducting legislative elections despite the Palestinian
division?
I support 32.8
I reject 61.4
No opinion/I do not know 5.8
Total 100.0

If new PLC elections are conducted, whom do you vote for?
An independent ticket 5.7
A ticket from the left 2.6
A ticket from Hamas 8.0
A ticket from Fateh 28.6
A national independent ticket 7.2
An Islamic independent ticket 3.7
I will not participate in the elections 21.6
I have not decided yet 22.7
Total 100.0

If new legislative elections are to be held today, which of the following
would win?
Independent Islamists bloc 4.2
Independent Nationalist bloc 8.8
Fateh bloc 43.4
Hamas bloc 12.3
A bloc from leftist organizations 1.4
No opinion/I do not know 29.8
Total 100.0

Do you supported conducting municipality and local council elections
despite the Palestinian division?
I support 45.8
I reject 47.5
No opinion/I do not know 6.8
Total 100.0

If municipality and local council elections are to be held, who do you vote
for?
A block that represents the family or clan 5.7
An independent ticket 6.0
A ticket from the left 1.9
A ticket from Hamas 8.5
A ticket from Fateh 26.1
A national independent ticket 8.2
An Islamic independent ticket 2.9
I will not participate in the elections 19.1
I have not decided yet 21.7
Total 100.0

If elections are conducted in the Palestinian Territories at the present
time, do you expect that they will be fair and unbiased?
Total
Yes 48.2
No 39.9
No opinion/I do not know 11.9
Total 100.0
West Bank
Yes 54.6
No 36.6
No opinion/I do not know 8.8
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Yes 37.2
No 45.6
No opinion/I do not know 17.2
Total 100.0

Do the current political, security and economic circumstances compel you
to desire emigrating abroad?
Total
Yes 30.0
No 66.9
No opinion/I do not know 3.1
Total 100.0
West Bank
Yes 20.4
No 78.9
No opinion/I do not know 0.7
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Yes 46.4
No 46.4
No opinion/I do not know 7.2
Total 100.0

Are you worried about your life under the present circumstances?
Total
Yes 36.8
No 61.1
No opinion/I do not know 2.1
Total 100.0
West Bank
Yes 30.3
No 69.6
No opinion/I do not know 0.1
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Yes 48.0
No 46.6
No opinion/I do not know 5.4
Total 100.0

Are you pessimistic or optimistic towards the general Palestinian
situation at this stage?
Total
Optimistic 53.3
Pessimistic 41.1
No opinion/I do not know 5.5
Total 100.0
West Bank
Optimistic 61.9
Pessimistic 35.9
No opinion/I do not know 2.2
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Optimistic 38.6
Pessimistic 50.2
No opinion/I do not know 11.2
Total 100.0

Under the present circumstances, do you feel that you, your family and your
properties are safe?
Total
Yes 34.1
May be 34.7
No 30.1
No opinion/I do not know 1.2
Total 100.0
West Bank
Yes 41.6
May be 31.0
No 27.3
No opinion/I do not know 0.1
Total 100.0
Gaza Strip
Yes 21.2
May be 41.0
No 34.8
No opinion/I do not know 3.0
Total 100.0

Which of the following political affiliations do you support?
Total
People’s Party 1.0
Democratic Front 0.8
Islamic Jihad 1.5
Fateh 37.1
Hamas 10.1
Fida 0.1
Popular Front 3.0
Palestinian National Initiative 0.4
I am an independent nationalist 7.3
I am an independent Islamist 3.7
None of the above 33.4
Others 1.5
Total 100.0

West Bank
People’s Party 0.7
Democratic Front 0.5
Islamic Jihad 0.5
Fateh 37.2
Hamas 7.4
Fida 0.0
Popular Front 2.8
Palestinian National Initiative 0.2
I am an independent nationalist 7.7
I am an independent Islamist 2.9
None of the above 40.0
Others 0.2
Total 100.0

Gaza Strip
People’s Party 1.6
Democratic Front 1.4
Islamic Jihad 3.4
Fateh 37.0
Hamas 14.6
Fida 0.2
Popular Front 3.4
Palestinian National Initiative 0.8
I am an independent nationalist 6.8
I am an independent Islamist 5.0
None of the above 22.2
Others 3.6
Total 100.0