Palestinian Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes About Family, Law, Women and the Judiciary System

Number of Children Perceived as "Ideal" for a Family to Have, Gallup (December 26, 2005 to January 8, 2006)

Palestinians: Preferred Number of Children According to Region, Gallup (December 26, 2005 to January 8, 2006)

If a family discovers that one of its daughters is involved in a case of family disgrace (e.g. adultery).  What do you think how should the family behave in such a case? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, June 14-19, 2005)

The Palestinian Legislative Council has carried out on 21.10.2004 a reading followed by an amendment of the Women's Quota paragraph, which grants both genders 20%-quota of the seats in the local and municipal elections. Are you with or against this amendment? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, November 4 - 8, 2004)

Palestinian Children's attitudes to women and minorities: (Al-Ayyam, Feb. 19, 2004)

Limiting Women's Occupations:
"73% [Grades 9 and 12] agree to limit women's work to traditional occupations."
"16% [Grade 12] support women's right to work as taxi drivers."

Limiting Women's Freedom
"33% [Grade 12] believe that hitting a woman is permissible under specified circumstances."
"23% [Grade 9] do not accept a woman has the right to chose a life companion freely."
"32% [Grade 9] do not accept a woman's right to chose her own clothes."

Limiting Women's Political Involvement:
"52% [Grade 9] do not accept that women can have positions on a Municipal Local Council."
"37% [Grade 9] do not accept women's right to vote in elections."

Children's attitudes to different races, religion, sex and handicapped
"60% [Grade 12] expressed unwillingness to choose a friend who is not of their religion."
"24% [Grade 12] do not welcome the idea of friendship with others, who have a different skin color."
"51% [Grade 12] are not willing to choose a friend who is not of their sex."
"9% [Grade 12] do not welcome the idea of friendship with people from other countries."
"No more than 60% [Grade 9 and 12] favor handicapped rights in the areas of occupation, education, and presenting candidacy for elections."

Have you used the Shari'a or ecclesiastical family courts in the last year? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

If yes, for what purposes?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Were you satisfied with the courts treatment of the case?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

If so, Why?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Were you satisfied with the court's ability to enforce judgements?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

According to your direct or indirect knowledge, do the Shari'a [or ecclesiastical] courts protect and support women's right?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

According to your direct and indirect knowlege, do the Shari'a courts [or ecclesiastical] protect and support men's rights? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)  

Q.8 According to your direct and indirect knowledge, do the Sharia'a courts [or ecclesiastical] protect and support children's rights? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)
 

Currently, Muslim Palestinians are subject to two family laws, one in the West Bank and one in Gaza. Do you think there is a need for a unified Palestinian family law? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Do you think family law should respond to changes and new needs in Palestinian society? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)

Do you favor more, the same of less rights for women than the family law currently in force in your place of residence? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)

Who do you think should be mainly responsible for developing a unified Palestinian family law? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Under which circumstances, do you think women should be given the right to be divorced or legally separated from their husband? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)

Recently in Egypt a law passed enabling women to ask for divore if they waive their financial rights. Would you like to see a similar law passed in Palestine? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

If such law is enabled in Palestine Why do you support it?* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Do you oppose this law because:* (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

As you know, Palestinian males and females of 18 years and abve have the right in choosing their spouse, do you think: (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)
 

Do you think Palestinian young men under eighteen are mature enough to independently choose their spouses? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Do you think Palestinian young women under seventeen are mature enough to independently choose their spouses? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Should the age of marriage for young women and men be raised to 18? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Do you think the law can do more to ensure that a husband's income is spent for family welfare? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)

Do you think women should contribute to family income, if possible? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

For couples who prefer civil law, without affecting other peoples rights to use Shari'a courts? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000) 

Do you believe that women will have an equal opportunity in running for the elections? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

Did you vote for a female candidate? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Why didn't you vote for a female candidate? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Do you believe in the importance of having women in the legislative council? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Why don't you believe in having women for the legislative council? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Why do you think there is a need for women in the council? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

What is your opinion about the strike of female security prisoners? Do you support it, somewhat support it, or oppose it? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Have you decided to vote for candidates without consulting anyone, or after taking the advice of others, or what? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Do you think it is important to incorporate personal status laws (including those pertaining to divorce, inheritance and marriage) into the Palestinian constitution? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

If the answer to the previous question is no, then why not? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

This question was asked only to those who said that personal status laws should not be incorporated in the Palestinian Constitution. n=399

Do you think that there is a need to integrate personal status laws in the Palestinian Constitution? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

If no, why do you oppose this?

Please indicate whether you strongly support, somewhat support or strongly oppose the following statements

Women deserve a quota in the elected council.
(Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

Do you think that women deserve a quota for representation in the council? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1996)

Christians deserve a quota in the elected council. (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

Palestinian women's organizations provide women with useful information in a timely manner. (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

I believe I have a civic responsibility to take part in the elections. (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

If a woman candidate met my standards of proper qualifications, I would vote for her. (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

Do you support or oppose the need for qualified women to be entitled for equal opportunities to participate actively in public responsibilities in society? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)

If you disagree, then why?

This question is asked only to those who said disagree in the previous question (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1995)