Palestinian Attitudes About Peace With Israel

(1990s)

Palestinian Attitudes About Peace Table of Contents

How optimistic or pessimistic are you about reaching a peaceful Arab-Israeli settlement? Would you say you are: (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz)

   
Israel
Total  (12/97)
Total (2/99) Total (12/99)
Jews  (12/97)
Jews (2/99) Jews (12/99)
Arab  (12/97)
Arabs (2/99) Arabs (12/99)
Very optimistic 
13.7%
17.0
 20.9
14.0%
16.4
 20.4
11.1%
17.9
25.4 
Optimistic
48.3%
43.2
 33.4
48.5%
41.9
 30.6
50.6%
61.3
 55.8
Pessimistic
23.8%
23.9
 23.0
22.5%
25.2
 24.5
28.8%
15.9
 11.0
Very Pessimistic 
8.7%
10.3
 17.3
9.0%
11.3
 18.9
6.0%
2.9
 4.5
No answer
5.5%
5.5
 5.4
5.8%
5.2
5.7 
3.4%
2.0
 3.3

Under the condition of permanent peace following an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, do you prefer an open border between the two states so that Israelis and Palestinians can move freely between the two states or do you prefer a closed border without such free movement? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)
 

 
Israeli Total 
Israeli Jews 
Israeli Arabs
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
 n. = 1002
n. = 502 
n. = 500 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Prefers an open border to both Israelis and Palestinians 
35.5 
 29.3
84.1 
 65.2
68.5 
 59.2
Prefers a close border to both Israelis and Palestinians
 51.1
 56.1
 10.5
 14.5
 13.2
 16.8
Prefer an open border for the Israelis and a close border to the Palestinians 
 5.3
 5.9
 0.5
 1.5
 2.3
 0.3
Prefers an open border to the Palestinians and a close border to the Israelis
 0.4
 0.3
 0.9
 13.6
 11.0
 18.3
Don't know
8.0
8.5
4.0
5.2
5.0
5.4

If the Israelis and the Palestinians sign a permanent peace agreement based on the "Two States for the Two People" formula. From the point of view of the Palestinians, will such an agreement mean the end to their historical conflict with Israel/with the Palestinians? (Source: JMCC December 1999)

 
Israeli Total  (12/99)
Israeli Jews  (12/99)
Israeli Arabs (12/99)
Palestinian Total  (12/99)
Palestinian Total (3/00) Palestinian Total (3/02)
West Bank  (12/99)
West Bank (3/00) West Bank (3/02)
Gaza Strip (12/99)
Gaza Strip (3/00) Gaza Strip (3/02)
 
 n. = 1002
n. = 502 
n. = 500 
n. = 1199 
n=1200  
n. = 761 
n=762  
n. = 438 
n=438  
Surely yes 
 8.3
 6.8
20.3
 6.4
7.8 5.7
7.0
6.6 3.6
 5.5
9.8 9.1
Probably yes 
 27.8
 25.7
45.0
 27.9
16.7 16.7
29.8
17.5 16.5
24.4
15.3 17.0
Probably no
 23.2
 24.3
14.3
19.3
18.3 18.7
 20.1
17.5 18.8
18.0
19.9 18.6
Surely no
 31.4
 33.9
11.2
41.5
46.6 53.7
38.0
45.9 53.5
47.5
47.7 54.1
Don't know
9.4
9.4
9.2
4.9
10.6 4.7
5.1
12.5 6.8
4.6
7.3 1.1
No answer -- -- -- -- -- 0.5 -- -- 0.8 -- -- --

Some argue that the two states for the two people formula is the preferable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while others argue that historic Palestine cannot be divided into two states and therefore a bi-national state in which the Israelis and the Palestinians will have equal representation in the various institutional of government regardless of the relative size of the two populations is the most preferable one. Which of the two solutions do you prefer? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

 
Israeli Total  (12/99)
Israeli Total (12/00)
Israeli Jews  (12/99)
Israeli Jews (12/00)
Israeli Arabs (12/99)
Israeli Arab (12/00)
 
 n. = 1002
n= 1004
n. = 502 
n=503
n. = 500 
n=501
Prefer the two states solution 
60.0 
69.0
 57.9
69.2
76.8 
70.5 
Prefer the bi-national solution 
 15.3
18.3
 15.3
18.1
 15.7
18.1
Prefer another solution
 10.2
4.7
 11.1
5.0
 3.0
2.3
There is no solution to the conflict 
 6.7
4.1
 7.5
4.2
 0.5
4.0
Don't know
7.8
3.9
8.3
3.6
3.9
5.2

How genuine, do you think the present Israeli government (Palestinian Authority) is about reaching peace with the Palestinians (Israelis). Would you say that it is... (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll)

   
Palestinian Area
PA   Israel    
Israel
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99) Total (12/99)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99) West Bank (12/99)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99) Gaza Strip (12/99)
Total  (12/97)
Total (2/99) Total (12/99)
Jews  (12/97)
Jews (2/99)
Israeli Arab  (12/97)
Israeli Arab (2/99) Israeli Arab (12/99)
Very genuine 
0.8% 
0.6 1.7
0.5%
0.7 1.7
1.4%
0.5 1.6
16.2%
19.8 21.4
14.4%
17.2
30.7%
38.3 37.2
Genuine
8.0%
9.3 22.7
6.9%
10.1 22.7
10.1%
8.0 20.1
40.0%
41.7 38.2
37.9%
41.4
56.8%
46.2 50.3
Not genuine 
44.8%
36.3 44.5
47.2%
35.5 44.5
40.4%
37.7 37.2
20.5%
16.1 14.1
22.1%
17.6
7.9%
6.7 7.9
Not genuine at all 
44.2%
52.1 27.6
42.8%
52.0 27.6
46.9%
52.3 37.4
19.4%
18.0 20.2
21.7%
19.9
1.2%
1.5 1.9
No answer
2.2%
1.7 3.5
2.6%
1.7 3.5
1.2%
1.5 3.7
3.8%
4.4 6.1
3.8%
3.9
3.4%
7.3 2.7

Do you believe or not believe that the Oslo agreement between Israel and the PLO will bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinans in the coming years? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

 
Israeli Total 
Israeli Jews 
Israeli Arabs
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
 n. = 1002
n. = 502 
n. = 500 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Greatly believe 
 18.5
 18.2
20.7 
 5.4
5.9 
 4.6
Somewhat believe 
 23.5
 21.1
 42.9
 29.3
 32.6
 23.5
In the middle
 15.4
 15.4
 15.7
 24.6
 23.3
 26.9
Somewhat believe
 14.9
 15.4
 10.5
 20.9
 20.8
 21.0
Certainly don't believe 
 23.7
26.1
 4.7
 16.4
 14.8
 19.2
Don't know
4.0
3.8
5.5
3.4
2.6
4.8

In your opinion, is there a chance that the Oslo Process will eventually result in the establishment of a genuine sovereign Palestinian state? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999) 

 
Israeli Total 
Israeli Jews 
Israeli Arabs
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
 n. = 1002
n. = 502 
n. = 500 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Surely yes
 47.3
 50.1
24.9 
 9.3
8.4 
 11.0
Probably yes 
 30.8
 29.3
 42.9
 42.2
 45.5
 36.5
Probably no
 8.8
 8.3
 12.8
 19.8
 20.1
 19.2
Surely no
 5.5
 4.6
 12.6
 24.3
 21.5
 29.0
Don't know
7.6
7.7
6.9
4.4
4.5
4.3

In your opinion, of the following issues discussed in the framework of the Israeli - Palestinian peace negotiations, which are the three most difficult for the two sides to find an agreeable solution to? Please indicate the most difficult issue, the second most difficult and the third? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)  

Most Difficult                    Arab Israelis (N= 500)                               Arab Israelis (N= 500)                                                    Rank

1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
Palestinian State
 14.2
20.4 
17.2 
51.8 
3
7.2 
16.7 
14.5 
38.4 
4
Jerusalem
53.2
23.4
6.2
82.8
1
70.9
13.7
4.4
89.0
1
Borders
1.4
11.4
7.2
20.0
5
4.8
17.3
17.5
39.7
3
Refugees
11.0
15.8
29.8
56.6
2
7.2
15.4
14.3
36.8
5
Water
3.8
1.6
4.2
9.7
6
2.1
9.3
11.7
23.1
6
Jewish Settlements
5.0
13.6
18.2
36.8
4
3.8
19.8
21.8
45.5
2
Don't know
8.4
8.4
8.4
25.2
 
3.3
7.4
14.9
25.6
 
No answer
3.0
5.4
8.8
17.2
 
-
-
-
-
 
Other answer
-
-
-
-
 
0.8
0.3
0.8
1.6
7
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 

Most Difficult         Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)              Palestinians in Gaza (N=348)                                                     Rank                                                                Rank

1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
Palestinian State
 16.3
 10.4
9.4 
36.1 
4
10.3
19.5 
9.4 
39.2 
4
Jerusalem
52.2
20.6
11.4
84.2
1
66.4
17.6
5.3
99.3
1
Borders
3.7
10.8
14.8
26.3
5
1.1
5.5
7.5
14.1
6
Refugees
9.3
26.5
23.9
59.7
2
7.1
29.0
21.5
57.6
2
Water
3.1
6.5
9.7
19.3
6
3.9
7.1
13.7
24.7
5
Jewish Settlements
11.3
20.5
24.8
56.6
3
7.3
15.8
30.6
53.7
3
Don't know
-
-
-
-
 
-
-
-
-
 
No answer
4.1
4.7
6.0
14.8
 
3.9
5.5
11.9
21.3
 
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
*Including East Jerusalem  

In your opinion, which of above issues are the three most important for the two sides to find an agreeable solution to? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Most Important Issue               Arab Israelis (N=500)                            Israeli Jews (N=500)                                                                Rank                                                       Rank

1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
Palestinian State
 13.8
20.4 
19.4 
53.6 
2
13.8
14.0 
12.1 
38.4 
 4
Jerusalem
48.2
22.0
6.2
76.4
1
48.4
18.8
9.2
89.0
1
Borders
1.8
8.8
7.0
17.6
5
12.1
17.1
15.3
39.7
3
Refugees
13.6
14.6
24.4
52.6
3
5.2
13.3
10.3
36.8
5
Water
5.8
3.8
4.0
13.6
6
6.4
10.4
13.0
23.1
6
Jewish Settlements
5.6
16.2
19.0
40.8
4
4.6
13.2
22.3
45.5
2
Don't know
8.6
8.6
8.6
25.8
 
6.6
12.6
17.2
36.4
 
No answer
2.6
5.6
11.4
19.6
7
-
-
-
-
 
Other Answer
-
-
-
-
 
2.8
0.6
0.6
3.3
7
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
100.0%
 
 
 
 
 

Most Important         Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)                 Palestinians in Gaza (N=438) Issue                                                           Rank                                                     Rank

1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
1
2
3
Total
Overall Rank
Palestinian State
 18.0
10.0 
12.2 
40.2 
4
11.9
13.7 
11.6 
37.2 
4
Jerusalem
48.7
21.0
10.6
80.3
1
55.0
18.0
5.3
78.3
1
Borders
6.0
13.5
14.3
33.8
5
2.5
8.2
9.1
19.8
6
Refugees
9.2
24.7
24.8
58.7
2
9.4
29.2
18.7
57.3
2
Water
4.5
7.6
9.6
21.7
6
7.3
8.9
13.5
29.7
5
Jewish Settlements
11.0
19.7
24.3
55.0
3
9.4
14.2
29.7
53.3
3
Don't know
-
-
-
-
 
-
-
-
-
 
No answer
2.6
3.5
4.2
10.3
 
4.5
7.8
12.1
24.4
 
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
 
 
*Including East Jerusalem

In general, how do you evaluate people's attitude towards the Peace Process? (Source: JMCC Poll, October 1999)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
They support the peace process 33.8 36.2 29.6
They are hesitant in their attitudes 42.9 13.2 42.5
They oppose the peace process 18.0 16.0 21.5
No answer 5.3 4.6 6.4

Which of the following problems do you believe is the most important facing the Palestinian people? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1999)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
Jerusalem 46.2 45.2 47.9
Refugees 14.8 14.5 15.5
Settlements 30.8 31.4 29.7
Other 2.1 2.1 2.1
No answer 6.1 6.8 4.8

Do you believe or not believe that the Oslo agreement between Israel and the PLO will bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians in the coming years? (Source: JMCC, February 1999)

 
Israel
Israel PA   Palestine 
Arabs (2/99)
Arabs (12/00)
Jews (2/99)
Jews (12/00)
Total (2/99)
Total (12/00)
West Bank (2/99)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
Total  (2/99)
Total (12/00)
Greatly believe 
19.0
10.8
14.1
7.6
14.5
8.0
7.1
3.6
5.0
2.3
6.3
3.1
Somewhat believe 
48.5
41.4
32.4
34.6
33.6
35.4
29.6
25.1
26.6
26.6
28.5
25.6
In the middle
12.5
--
18.2
 
18.4
 
25.2
--
27.5
 
26.1
--
Somewhat don't believe
10.2
24.0
11.8
29.2
11.5
28.6
13.0
33.4
22.3
30.3
10.4
32.1
Certainly don't believe
4.3
16.3
21.2
23.3
19.4
22.3
21.6
33.1
17.5
39.1
20.1
35.5
Don't Know
5.5
7.5
2.4
5.4
2.6
5.6
3.5
4.6
1.1
1.7
2.6
3.7

Do you agree or disagree with the idea of establishing a Palestinian State with 1967 borders (including East Jerusalem) as a part of the final solution to the Palestinian - Israeli conflict? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1999)

    Israel   PA   Palestinian Controlled Territory      
  Arabs (2/99) Jews (2/99) Total (2/99) West Bank (2/99) West Bank (9/01) Gaza Strip (2/99) Gaza Strip (9/01) Total (2/99) Total (9/01)
Agree 68.0 11.3 17.4 58.2
 33.8
43.2
38.2 
52.7
 35.4
In the middle 15.7 12.0 12.9 18.9
 34.4
28.2
 28.6
22.3
 32.3
Disagree 5.0 72.7 64.7 19.8
 28.9
25.2
 29.5
21.8
 29.1
Don't know 11.3 3.9 5.0 3.1
2.9 
3.4
 3.7
3.2
 3.2

In your opinion, is it possible that after the singing of peace agreement between Israel and the Arabs a "New Middle East" will evolve, similar to the situation in Europe today - no wars, joint economic and political institutions, and borders open to people and goods? Possible immediately following the signing of the peace agreement, possible in the near future, possible but in the far future, not possible at all? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1999)  

Israel 
Palestine 
Arabs 
Jews 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza 
Total
Possible immediately following the signing of the peace agreement
12.2
3.3
4.3
2.0
2.6
2.0
Possible in the near future
37.9
21.2
23.0
12.1
7.7
10.5
Possible but in the far future
28.0
45.1
42.9
41.9
37.7
40.4
Not possible at all
13.6
26.9
25.6
37.8
48.9
41.9
Don't know
8.2
3.5
4.3
6.2
3.7
5.2

Who is more responsible for the deadlock in the peace process: the Israeli or the Palestinian side, would you say only the Israeli side, mostly the Israeli side, only the Palestinian side, mostly the Palestinian side, both sides are responsible to the same degree, neither side is responsible? (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, February 1999)  

Israel 
Palestine 
Arabs 
Jews 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza 
Total
Only the Israeli side
11.2
6.6
7.5
40.1
48.9
43.3
Mostly the Israeli side
16.2
18.1
17.5
26.1
27.3
26.6
Only the Palestinian side
6.4
8.4
8.1
4.5
4.8
4.6
Mostly the Palestinian side
6.1
16.8
15.4
3.0
2.5
2.8
Both sides are responsible to the same degree
51.6
45.6
46.6
23.3
14.8
21.1
Neither side is responsible 
3.5
1.1
1.3
1.7
1.7
1.1
Don't know
5.0
3.4
3.6
1.3
0.0
1.5

If the possibility of having an independent Palestinian state with sovereignty in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) reaches a dead end, do you strongly support, support, oppose or strongly oppose the idea of establishing a joint state for Israelis and Palestinians in all Palestine (Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip)?  

Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip 
Strongly support 
2.8
3.5
1.3
Support
15.5
17.6
11.9
Neither support nor oppose
18.3
18.2
18.7
Oppose
34.7
33.4
37.0
Strongly oppose
24.1
21.4
28.8
No answer
4.6
5.9
2.3

If the possibility of having an independent Palestinian State with sovereignty in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) reaches a dead end, do you strongly support, support, oppose, or strongly oppose the idea of establishing an Islamic state in all Palestine (Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip)?  

Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip 
Strongly support 
24.7
26.3
21.7
Support
38.8
36.7
42.5
Neither support nor oppose
18.2
16.7
21.0
Oppose
11.6
11.3
12.0
Strongly oppose
2.6
3.3
1.4
No answer
4.1
5.7
1.4

If the possibility of having an independent Palestinian state with sovereignty in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) reaches a dead end, to what extent do you support or oppose the authority in taking the following positions:

Total  

Strongly support Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose Strongly oppose  No answer 
Keep negotiating with Israel to salvage what can be
15.8
40.9
12.6
20.7
8.0
2.0
Wait till a change in the balances of Jerusalem
7.0
27.2
20.4
31.0
7.9
6.5
Demand linking with Jordan
5.9
28.8
23.0
26.9
9.1
6.3
Demand the establishment of a joint state for Palestinians and Israelis in all Palestine
3.2
16.6
15.3
38.7
21.4
4.8
Go back to armed struggle
17.0
28.8
18.4
26.9
4.5
4.4
Go back to popular struggle
20.6
32.7
14.4
23.9
4.1
4.3

West Bank

Strongly support Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose Strongly oppose  No answer 
Keep negotiating with Israel to salvage what can be
16.8
41.2
11.7
19.8
8.0
2.5
Wait till a change in the balances of Jerusalem
7.2
30.6
18.1
30.6
5.7
7.8
Demand linking with Jordan
6.3
28.3
20.4
31.7
7.6
5.7
Demand the establishment of a joint state for Palestinians and Israelis in all Palestine
3.8
20.6
15.1
39.7
17.3
3.5
Go back to armed struggle
18.7
27.3
15.2
28.0
5.8
5.0
Go back to popular struggle
19.8
30.9
12.4
26.7
5.1
5.4

Gaza Strip

Strongly support Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose Strongly oppose  No answer 
Keep negotiating with Israel to salvage what can be
14.2
40.4
14.2
22.1
8.0
1.1
Wait till a change in the balances of Jerusalem
6.7
21.0
24.4
31.7
11.9
4.3
Demand linking with Jordan
5.0
29.8
27.6
18.7
11.6
7.3
Demand the establishment of a joint state for Palestinians and Israelis in all Palestine
2.0
9.6
15.8
37.0
28.5
7.1
Go back to armed struggle
14.1
31.3
24.0
24.9
2.3
3.4
Go back to popular struggle
21.9
35.8
18.0
18.9
2.3
3.1

How genuine do you think the Israeli (Palestinian) people are about reaching peace with the Palestinians (Israelis). Would you say you are (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)

Palestinian Area
Israel
Total
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
Total 
Jews 
Arab 
Very genuine 
3.3% 
3.3%
3.4%
15.9%
14.7%
25.5%
Genuine
47.3%
49.2%
44.0%
39.6%
38.0%
52.3%
Not genuine 
33.1%
30.9%
37.0%
19.4%
19.9%
15.8%
Not genuine at all 
12.4%
12.2%
12.7%
20.1%
22.1%
3.5%
No answer
3.9%
4.4%
2.9%
5.5%
5.8%
3.0%

What in your opinion about the following argument: Even if peace agreement is reached, it is preferable for the Palestinians to have a close and clear border with Israel, to maintain full separation between the two entities. (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)

      Palestinian Area      
  Total (12/97) Total (2/99) West Bank (12/97) West Bank (2/99) Gaza Strip (12/97) Gaza Strip (2/99)
Strongly Agree 14.9 13.2 13.1 14.3 18.3 11.4
Agree 47.7 38.1 47.2 39.7 48.6 35.2
Disagree 25.1 27.1 27.4 24.0 20.7 32.3
Strongly disagree 6.3 13.7 5.2 12.7 8.4 15.2
No answer 6.0 7.9 7.1 9.3 4.0 5.9
    Israel      
Total (12/97) Total (2/99) Jews (12/97) Jews (2/99) Arab (12/97) Arab (2/99)
51.4 49.3 55.4 54.6 19.3 9.5
30.0 30.1 28.3 27.9 43.6 45.8
7.6 8.6 6.1 6.8 19.8 21.1
5.6 6.8 5.1 6.7 9.8 8.1
5.3 5.1 5.0 4.0 7.5 15.6

How optimistic or pessimistic are you about the future in general? Would you say you are: (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz poll, December 1997)

Israel
Total  (12/97)
Jews  (12/97)
Arab  (12/97)
Very optimistic 
18.6%
19.5%
11.4%
Optimistic