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Palestinian Public Opinion Polls: Views on Refugees, Settlements, and other Controversial Issues

In light of the resumption of settlement construction, do you or do you not want the Palestinian side to pull out of direct negotiations? (PCPSR, October 2010)

Do want to pull out of direct negotiations
66%
Do not want to pull out of direct negotiations
30%

Do you support or oppose conducting talks between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government if Israel continues building settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem? (An-Najah, September 2010)

Support
15.0%
Oppose
81.9%
No opinion/Don't know
3.2%

Do you accept the creation of a Palestinian state on the area of the 1967 borders as a final solution for the Palestinian problem? (An-Najah, September 2010)

Yes
52.2%
No
43.6%
No opinion/Don't know
3.8%

Do you accept the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with some land exchange as a final solution for the Palestinian problem? (An-Najah, September 2010)

Yes
32.9%
No
62.9%
No opinion/Don't know
4.2%

What form do you envision the final solution of the Palestinian problem will take? (An-Najah, September 2010)

A comprehensive solution
66.4%
A piecemeal solution (on stages)
28.4%
No opinion/Don't know
5.2%

Do you support or oppose making Jerusalem a capital for two states: Palestine and Israel? (An-Najah, September 2010)

Support
19.4%
Oppose
78.0%
No opinion/Don't know
2.6%

With regards to refugees, please indicate which of the following options you consider to be essential, desirable, acceptable, tolerable or unacceptable as part of a peace agreement? (AWRAD, August 2010)

 
Essential

Desirable

Acceptable
Tolerable
Unacceptable
Right of return and compensation
87.5%
8.0%
1.9%
1.6%
1.1%
Refugees who do not wish to return to Israel should be offered compensation for their loss and a choice of resettlement in Palestine (West Bank/Gaza) or another Arab country
13.1%
18.4%
22.0%
17.9%
28.6%
Right of return without compensation
18.9%
19.7%
14.7%
12.4%
34.2%
Return to Palestine (West Bank/Gaza) within agreed borders
11.4%
15.5%
17.8%
19.3%
36.1%
The number of refugees returning to Israel should be limited to family members and numbers agreed between Israel and Palestine
3.7%
7.8%
11.9%
16.9%
59.6%
The UN should close the refugee camps and resettle them with compensation outside of Israel
12.6%
9.9%
10.8%
15.6%
51.0%
Under Israeli recognition of the suffering of the Palestinian refugees, compensation without right of return
4.8%
6.5%
8.1%
12.6%
68.0%

With regards to the settlements, please indicate which of the following options you consider to be essential, desirable, acceptable, tolerable or unacceptable? (AWRAD, August 2010)

 
Essential
Desirable
Acceptable
Tolerable
Unacceptable
All settlers should leave the Occupied Territories and settlements closed
90.8%
6.3%
1.4%
0.8%
0.7%
Dismantle most of the settlements, move settlers to large blocks and exchange land
9.6%
9.0%
10.0%
17.9%
53.6%
Settlers can stay in Palestine (West Bank) if they take up Palestinian citizenship
8.1%
8.6%
11.7%
16.7%
54.9%

With regards to the borders, please indicate which of the following options you consider to be essential, desirable, acceptable, tolerable or unacceptable? (AWRAD, August 2010)

 
Essential
Desirable
Acceptable
Tolerable
Unacceptable
Israel should withdraw to the 1967 border between Israel and Palestine
68.4%
11.7%
6.7%
4.5%
8.7%
1967 border adjusted through agreement of equivalent exchange of land
15.9%
17.2%
16.3%
16.6%
34.0%
Border established by the security wall
7.0%
6.0%
6.7%
12.1%
68.2%

What do you believe is the best solution for the refugee issue?   (Alpha International, October 13-21, 2008)

Return to the Palestinian state on the borders of the year 1967
39.2%
Citizenship and compensation
20.7%
Partial return to Israel
5.9%
Entire return to Israel
29.5%
Other
2.6%
Don't know/No opinion
2.1%

The Donia Al Watan Website said that President Mahmoud Abbas committed himself to disarm the Palestinian refugees of Lebanon if the Lebanese government asks him to do so. Do you agree with this commitment?   (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, July 20-26, 2005)

Strongly agree
16.0%
Somewhat agree
31.0%
Somewhat disagree
24.8%
Strongly disagree
21.2%
Don't know
7.0%

Do you think that the Palestinians are obliged to waive their claims to the right of Home-return, which Israel will never agree to, as the price of establishing an independent state for them and the conclusion of a peace agreement with Israel? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, November 4 - 8, 2004)

The Palestinians have to accept that
15.0%
The Palestinians shouldn't accept that, even if consequently no peace agreement would be concluded with Israel.
72.2%
No opinion
12.8%

In case the Palestinian leadership would accept the waiver of the right of Home-return and replace that with financial compensation. Would you accept or refuse that? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, November 4 - 8, 2004)

would accept that
13.0%
would refuse that
78.6%
no opinion
8.4%

Taking into account the general current political situation, do you believe that: (JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
All refugees will return to their homes and lands including inside the Green Line
5.6% 
3.6%
9.1%
Only the refugees living outside Palestine will return to the areas of the PNA
10.6%
10.8%
10.3%
A small number of the refugees of the outside will be return to the PNA areas and also a small number of refugees will return to inside the Green Line
7.8%
5.8%
11.2%
Only a limited number of refugees from the outside will be returned to the PNA areas 
29.1%
31.7%
24.7%
No refugees will be allowed to return to the PNA areas or to inside of the Green Line
33.2%
35.1%
29.9%
No answer
13.6%
12.9%
14.8%

If refugees were offered the chance to return to their lands and homes on the condition that they accept Israeli law and rule, do you believe that: (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
All refugees will accept to return even on this condition
3.8%
3.2%
4.8%
A large number of refugees will agree to return under this condition
10.1%
11.1%
8.4%
A small number of refugees will agree to return under this condition
26.5%
28.5%
23.1%
No refugees will accept to return under this condition
47.6%
41.1%
58.9%
No answer
12.0%
16.1%
4.8%

Do you think that permitting 100,000 refugees to return to their homes and lands in Israel is a good idea which would easen the refugee problem? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Yes
21.4%
20.3%
23.3%
Maybe
42.4%
45.6%
37.0%
No
28.5%
26.6%
32.0%
No answer
7.6%
7.5%
7.8%

How do you define yourself from the following choices?* (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

West Bank & Gaza Strip
Arab 
25.6% 
Palestinian
32.6%
Moslem/Christian
30.0%
From a certain village/city/camp
4.1%
From a certain clan
0.8%
Refugee
6.4%
Other
0.4%
* This is a multiple response - Total responses are 3466 - Valid cases = 1171 - Missing cases = 24

How do you define yourself from the following choices? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total

 
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
Arab 
17.9% 
27.7%
28.6%
Palestinian
30.9%
45.5%
18.4%
Moslem/Christian
45.1%
15.2%
26.7%
From a certain village/city/camp
0.8%
3.0%
8.2%
From a certain clan
0.6%
0.5%
1.3%
Refugee
2.4%
4.4%
11.7%
Other
0.3%
0.4%
0.6%
No answer
2.1%
3.3%
4.5%
West Bank
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
Arab 
20.2% 
28.0%
28.8%
Palestinian
34.3%
44.9%
17.8%
Moslem/Christian
40.7%
16.9%
29.3%
From a certain village/city/camp
0.7%
3.4%
10.4%
From a certain clan
0.9%
0.4%
1.1%
Refugee
1.7%
3.2%
7.7%
Other
0.3%
0.4%
0.8%
1.2%
2.8%
4.1%
Gaza Strip
1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
Arab 
13.9% 
27.2%
28.3%
Palestinian
24.9%
46.1%
19.4%
Moslem/Christian
52.7%
12.3%
22.1%
From a certain village/city/camp
0.9%
2.3%
4.3%
From a certain clan
-
0.7%
1.6%
Refugee
3.7%
6.6%
18.7%
Other
0.2%
0.5%
0.2%
No answer
3.7%
4.3%
5.3%

 

Do you support the idea of transfering the duties of UNRWA to the PNA? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Yes
26.5% 
29.1%
22.1%
No
61.3%
57.7%
67.6%
No answer 
12.2%
13.2%
10.3%

In your view, what makes the refugee a refugee?* (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

West Bank & Gaza Strip 
Loss of the land
27.8%
Loss of the mother land
29.6%
Loss of the house 
19.5%
Living in a refugee camp
10.1%
Possession of an UNRWA card
6.8%
Poverty
5.5%
Other
0.7%
* This is a multiple response. - Total responses are 3451 - Valid cases = 1165 -  Missing cases = 30

In your view, what makes the refugee a refugee? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)
Total

1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
Loss of the land 
28.1% 
28.7%
13.6%
Loss of the mother land
50.9%
26.9%
7.6%
Loss of the house
9.6%
12.3%
34.5%
Livining in a refugee camp
4.4%
10.1%
14.6%
Possession of an UNRWA card
2.7%
4.1%
12.7%
Poverty
1.6%
3.1%
11.3%
Other
0.3%
0.7%
1.2%
No answer
2.5%
4.1%
4.6%
West Bank
1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
Loss of the land 
26.6% 
40.4%
16.5%
Loss of the mother land
52.6%
27.3%
7.8%
Loss of the house
11.2%
13.2%
39.5%
Living in a refugee camp
4.5%
9.0%
11.9%
Possession of an UNRWA card
2.6%
2.5%
10.0%
Poverty
0.8%
2.9%
8.3%
Other
0.1%
0.9%
1.6%
No answer
1.6%
3.7%
4.4%
Gaza Strip
1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
Loss of the land 
30.8% 
35.6%
8.4%
Loss of the mother land
47.9%
26.3%
7.3%
Loss of the house
6.8%
10.7%
25.8%
Livining in a refugee camp
4.1%
12.1%
19.2%
Possession of an UNRWA card
2.7%
6.8%
17.4%
Poverty
3.0%
3.4%
16.4%
Other
0.5%
0.2%
0.5%
No answer
4.1%
4.8%
5.0%

From amongst the five final-status issues: the boundaries, Jerusalem, the settlements, the refugees, and water where do you list the refugee issue as to its difficulty? Do you see it first, second, third, fourth or fifth? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
First issue
21.1%
17.7%
26.9%
Second issue
29.6%
28.9%
30.8%
Third issue 
21.6%
22.7%
19.6%
Fourth issue
14.1%
18.2%
6.8%
Fifth issue
6.1%
4.0%
9.8%
No answer
7.5%
8.5%
5.9%

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  

Are you satisfied with the postponement of negotiations on the refugee issue until the final negotiations? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)

Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
Yes
18.7%
19.3%
17.8%
No
61.2%
57.5%
67.6%
I don't know
14.4%
17.2%
9.6%
No answer
5.7%
6.1%
5.0%

Do you agree to give priority in solving the refugee problem to the refugees residing outside Palestine? For example the refugees of Lebanon, Syria and Jordan? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1997)
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
I agree
45.7%
48.3%
41.1%
I do not agree
41.2%
37.9%
46.8%
No answer
13.1%
13.7%
12.1%

In the framework of the final status negotiations, do you agree that the solution to the refugee issue woud be to grant them with the right of return only to the Palestinian state only, or would you say that the solution should guarantee their right to return back to their homes that they were forced to leave in 1948? (Source: JMCC Poll)
Total (12/96)
Total  (8/97)
West Bank (12/96)
West Bank  (8/97)
Gaza Strip (12/96) Gaza Strip (8/97)
I agree that their return be limited to the Palestinian state 19.4
13.6%
23.6
12.4%
11.1
15.5%
The solution should guarantee their right to return back to their homes that they were forces to leave in 1948 73.2
59.8%
68.3
58.1%
85.6
62.8%
I do not know --
22.1%
--
25.0%
--
17.1%
No answer / No opinion 7.4
4.5%
8.1
4.5%
6.3
4.6%

 

Refugees' First Choice (PSR Poll of Refugees) (for the exercise of the right of the right of return) (January-June 2003, PSR)

 

(West Bank and Gaza Strip) WBGS%

Jordan %

Lebanon %

Total (% of total population in the three areas)

1.       Return to Israel and become (or not become) an Israeli citizen

12

5

23

10

2.       Stay in the Palestinian state that will be established in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and receive a fair compensation for the property taken over by Israel and for other losses and suffering

38

27

19

31

3.       Receive Palestinian citizenship and return to designated areas inside Israel that would be swapped later on with Palestinian areas as part of a territorial exchange and receive any deserved compensation

 

37

10

21

23

4.       Receive fair compensation for the property, losses, and suffering and stay in host country receiving its citizenship or Palestinian citizenship

-

33

11

17

5.       Receive fair compensation for the property, losses, and suffering and immigrate to a European country or the US , Australia , or Canada and obtain citizenship of that country or Palestinian citizenship

1

2

9

2

6.       Refuse all options

9

16

17

13

7.       No opinion

2

8

0

5

 

During the current final status negotiations on the refugee issue, there are suggestions of compromised solutions including: containing a large number of refugees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, reunification of a number of refugee families in Israel about few tens of thousands and compensating the rest of the refugees at their present habitation. What is your opinion of this suggested solution? (Source: JMCC Poll, June 2000)
 

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
The mentioned solution is totally rejected
48.8
43.2
 58.4
The mentioned solution should be studied and deeply thought of before making a viewpoint on it 
34.9
36.9
31.5
The mentioned solution is acceptable and good
10.8
12.7
7.3
I don't know
4.5
5.8
2.3
No answer
1.0
1.4
0.5

 

 

Total %

West Bank %

Gaza Strip %

Looking at the issue of refugees, the Palestinian side demanded an Israeli admission of responsibility for creating the refugee problem and demanded that Israel recognizes UN resolution #194 and it showed willingness to absorb hundreds of thousands of refugees who wish to return to the Palestinian state. What is your opinion of this position? (Source: PSR, July 2000)

1.This position is just right

67.9

64.8

72.7

2. Not enough of a compromise

7.7

5.4

11.4

3. Too much of a compromise

19.7

24.1

12.7

4. Don't know

4.7

5.7

3.2

What is your general opinion about returnees? Better than you expected, similar to your expectations or than you expected? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1997)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
Better than I expected 9.5 8.3 11.7
Similar to my expectations 30.8 32.7 27.6
Worse than I expected 46.8 43.5 52.6
I do not know 11.1 13.3 7.1
No answer 1.8 2.2 1.0

 

What caused the 1948 Palestinian refugee problem in the first instance? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Cause of the Refugee Problem
Arab Israelis(N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Mainly, the refugees left voluntarily 
6.0
29.9
4.5
3.2
Mainly, the refugees were told to leave by Arab leaders
1.0
17.3
6.2
5.5
Mainly, Jewish forces expelled the refugees
60.8
31.0
56.4
63.5
Combination of the above (indicate which ones)
19.4
4.7
23.2
17.6
Other Answer
-
-
4.3
5.8
Don't know
10.8
23.3
4.1
2.1
No answer
2.0
-
1.3
2.3
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem.  

Which of the following solutions to the refugee issue is most just in your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

 

a. Should be based on UN Resolution 194 which calls for the right of return to all the Palestinian refugees and compensation to those who do not return.

b. The returning of a limited number of Palestinian refugees to Israel and suitable compensation to those who will not return based on an agreement between Israel and the Palstinians.

c. Only those who are approved by Israel should be allowed to return and compensation to those who do not return.
 

Most Just Solution
Arab Israelis(N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
a. UN Resolution 194
61.4
4.5
81.1
82.6
b. Return of a limited number
22.0
14.9
10.4
12.2
c. Only those approved by Israel
5.0
56.8
3.5
1.8
There is no refugee problem
1.6
0.2
0.5
0.0
Don't know
9.2
5.0
-
-
No answer
0.8
18.7
4.5
3.4
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem.
 
Under the present circumstances, which of the above solutions looks most feasible to you? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)
Most feasible Solution
Arab Israelis(N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
UN Resolution 194
49.2
4.7
66.8
58.0
Return of a limited number
29.6
20.8
15.7
24.2
Only those approved by Israel
7.8
50.8
6.6
6.2
There is no refugee problem
1.6
0.2
0.5
0.2
Don't know
11.0
7.2
-
-
No answer
0.8
-
10.4
11.4
Other Answer
-
16.3 **
-
-
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%

*Including East Jerusalem
**In the Israeli Jewish sample, "Other Answer" included the following: 10.0% said none of the given options are possible; 0.7% said all are possible, and 5.0% offered other solutions.

What is the number of refugees who should be allowed to return? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Number of refugees allowed to return
Arab Israelis (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
None should be allowed to return
0.6
42.7
1.6
0.6
Few hundreds should be allowed to return
1.4
21.9
3.5
2.3
 Few thousands should be allowed to return
4.6
10.7
12.1
8.7
Anyone wishing to return should be allowed to return
82.2
11.5
77.7
82.9
Don't know
9.6
13.1
-
-
No answer
1.6
-
5.1
5.5
Total
100.0%
100.0% 
100.0%
100.0%

 *Including East Jerusalem

Where should the Palestinian refugees be permanently settled? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Where Refugees should be resettled
Arab Israelis (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N= 438)
Mainly in their original homes inside Israel
58.2
5.3
53.2
54.9
Mainly in places within the Palestinians state
11.2
32.3
30.3
28.5
Mainly in the Palestinians state and inside Israel
22.6**
-
-
-
Mainly in their present places of residence in the Middle East or elsewhere
2.4
57.2
7.6
6.8
Don't know
4.6
5.2
7.5
8.2
No answer
0.4
-
1.4
1.6
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
**Category was included only in the survey of Arab Israelis.
 

Who should compensate the refugees? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Source of Compensation
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
No one
1.2
17.0
2.1
1.1
Israel
69.0
18.3
25.3
13.5
International bodies such as thye UN
8.0
41.3
13.3
15.1
Arab governments
0.6
29.9
5.9
4.8
US
0.2
11.4
-
-
Any combination of the above (indicate which)
12.6
-
49.1**
57.9**
Don't know
7.4
5.7
-
-
No answer
1.0
-
4.1
3.7
Other answers
-
-
0.2
3.9
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
**Assignment of blame refelects a combined response of three categories:
Israel + Arab goverments; Israel + International Bodies + arab governments; Israel + International Bodies
 

There are different opinions on the question of who is responsible for the creation of the refugee problem in 1948 - Israel or the Arabs. In your opinion who is the responsible side? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Responsible for Creating the Refugee Problem
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank*(N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Only Israel
40.6
4.8
16.5
18.3
Mostly Israel
33.0
7.0
34.9
29.2
Israel and the Arab side to the same extent 
9.6
35.0
40.9
45.4
Mostly Arab side
4.6
22.2
-
-
Only the Arab side
0.8
21.1
3.5
4.1
Don't know
10.8
9.9
-
-
No answer
0.6
-
4.2
3.0
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
 

According to international law, people who have left their homes voluntarily or by force because of war conditions are entitled to return back once hostilities end. Do you agree or disagree with this principle? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Opinions on International law
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Agree without any qualifications
70.4 
18.2 
55.8 
54.1 
Depending on the circumstances 
 22.4
 51.8
 27.0
 29.0
Do not agree
 1.2
 25.3
 8.4
 5.9
Don't know
 5.0
 4.7
 6.6
 9.6
No answer
 1.0
 -
 2.2
 1.4
Total
 100.0%
 100.0%
 100.0%
 100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
 

Do you agree or disagree that this principle [of international law] applies to the case of the Palestinian refugees? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Applicability of International Law to Palestinian Case
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Strongly Agree
69.2
10.9
47.1
45.7
Agree
22.8
29.2
33.5
37.2
Disagree
1.6
21.7
8.9
4.3
Strongly Disagree
0.0
29.7
1.0
1.6
Don't know
5.4
8.4
7.0
9.4
No answer
1.0
-
2.5
1.8
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
 

What do you think is the overall number of the Palestinian refugees today (the term Palestinian refugees refers to those who left or forced to leave their homes because of the 1948 War and their descendants). (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

 
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Up to 1 million
19.8
31.7
11.6
10.5
1- 2 million
9.6
15.4
18.2
18.3
2 -3 million
9.6
6.6
19.2
16.0
3 -4 million
10.6
4.9
16.4
22.5
4 million or more
6.8
4.1
18.2
21.7
Don't know
42.8
37.3
-
-
No answer
0.8
-
16.4
11.0
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
 

Can you please try and assess how many Palestinian refugees will actually use the right of return if granted to them and leave their present places of residence and move to Israel? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Estimate Number of returning Refugees
Palestinians in Israel (N=500)
Israeli Jews (N=500)
Palestinians in West Bank* (N=762)
Palestinians in Gaza (N=438)
Up to 100.000
4.4
23.0
10.8
6.8
100.000 - 500.000
11.6
14.2
17.6
22.2
500.000 - 1 million
6.8
21.0
**
**
1- 2 million
7.2
-**
23.4
32.0
2 -3 million
11.0
5.5
13.1
18.5
3 - 4 million
-**
1.2
**
**
4 million and up
15.6
4.0
17.3
10.7
Don't know
42.8
31.2
-
-
No answer
0.6
-
17.8
9.8
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
*Including East Jerusalem
** Category  was not included in question.

Where should the Palestinian refugee be permanately settled: (Source: JMCC Poll, December 199)
 

 
Israeli Total 
Israeli Jews 
Israeli Arabs
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
 n. = 1002
n. = 502 
n. = 500 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Mainly in their original homes inside (1948 Palestine) (Israel)
 12.2
7.8 
 48.2
71.3 
 68.6
76.0 
Mainly in places within the Palestinian state.
 30.7
 31.1
 27.8
 21.1
 23.9
 16.2
Mainly in their present place of residence in the Middle East or elsewhere.
 48.1
 52.6
 11.8
 5.3
 5.0
 5.7
Don't know
8.9
8.5
12.2
2.3
2.5
2.1

There are different opinions on the question who is responsible for the creation of the refugee problem 1948 - Israel or the Arabs, In your opinion who is the responsible side? (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 
Only Israel
 6.6
 4.6
23.1 
 27.5
27.2 
 28.1
Mostly Israel 
 6.0
 4.7
 16.3
 25.3
 28.8
 19.2
Israel and the Arab side to the same extent 
 25.1
 24.5
 30.4
 36.1
 33.4
 40.9
Mostly  the Arab side
 18.1
 19.3
 8.8
 5.8
 6.2
 5.0
Only the Arab side
26.2
28.2
9.7
2.1
1.8
2.5
Don't know
17.9
18.7
11.7
3.2
2.6
4.3

 

Do you think that the Palestinian delegation should not return to the negotiations until the issue of the expellees is solved? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1993)
 
Total 
Yes 
83.7% 
No
14.0%
No opinion /other 
2.2%

Do you think that the Palstinian delegation should return to the negotiations after the expellee problem has been adequately solved? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1993)
 

Total 
Yes
60.6%
No
34.4%
No opinion/other 
4.0%

Do you think that the Palestinian delegation should not return to the negotiations even after a solution to the expellees problem? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1993)
 

Total 
Yes 
32.2%
No 
63.7%
No opinion/ other 
4.0%

Do you think that the United States can play the role of mediator in the negotiations given its stand on the expellees problem? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1993)
 

Total 
Yes 
40.8%
No
53.3%
No opinion/ other 
5.9%

If an acceptable solution to the expellees problem is found, do you think that negotiations are an appropriate method to solve Palestinian problem? (Source: JMCC Poll, February 1993)
 

Total 
Negotiations will never yield any good results for the Palestinians
31.9%
The negotiations are an appropriated method for solving the Palestinian problem 
13.7%
The negotiations will yield results but not sufficient ones 
50.7%
Other, please specify
3.7%

What is more important reaching a fair solution to settlement issue or reaching a fair solution to refugees issue?

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Settlement  issue
14.8
16.5
11.9
Refugees  issue
34.0
36.4
29.9
Both are equally important
48.9
44.6
56.4
I don't know
0.0
0.0
0.0
No answer
2.3
2.5
1.8

 

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the removal of Israeli settlements? (Source: JMCC Poll, October 1995)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
Optimistic 43.0 40.0 51.4
Pessimistic 45.6 49.2 36.4
I do not know 7.5 7.7 6.9
No opinion 3.9 3.1 5.3

In the framework of the final status negotiations, would you support the idea that says that Israel could annex settlement blocs that comprise a Jewish majority in return for land to be given to the Palestinians near the Egyptian borders? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1996)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
Agree 6.7 8.1 4.1
Disagree 84.1 80.8 90.4
No opinion 9.2 11.1 5.6

In the framework of the final status negotiations, do you agree with the idea that says that settlers could remain under Palestinian sovereignty? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1996)

  Total West Bank Gaza Strip
I agree 24.4 30.5 12.7
I disagree 70.0 61.8 85.6
No opinion 5.7 7.7 1.8

(For the Palestinians) From the Israeli point of view, the concept of a sovereign Palestinian state implies the fulfillment of the following: removing of only certain Jewish settlements and maintaining the rest under Israel's sovereignty; keeping Jerusalem united and as the capital of Israel only. Which of these conditions is aceptable or not acceptable in your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Removing of only certain Jewish settlements and maintaining the rest under Israel's sovereignty

 
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Completely acceptable
 7.5
 5.2
11.6
Acceptable 
 20.4
 18.8
 23.3
Unacceptable
 32.2
 35.3
 26.5
Completely unacceptable 
 35.1
 37.2
 31.5
Don't know
4.8
3.5
7.1

Keeping parts of the territories under the sovereignty of Israel on the basis of security considerations

 
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Completely acceptable
 15.1
 8.9
26.0 
Acceptable 
 15.3
 11.6
 21.7
Unacceptable
 24.9
 28.9
 17.8
Completely unacceptable 
 41.1
 48.2
 28.8
Don't know
3.6
2.4
5.7

Keeping Jerusalem united as the capital of Israel only

 
Palestinian Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
 
n. = 1199 
n. = 761 
n. = 438 
Completely acceptable
 21.9
 13.5
36.8 
Acceptable 
 7.3
 3.9
 13.0
Unacceptable
 13.4
 17.7
 5.7
Completely unacceptable 
 54.5
 62.8
 40.2
Don't know
2.9
2.1
4.3

What do you think should be the final settlement for Jerusalem? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1993)

  All West Bank Gaza Strip
An open undivided city and a capital for two states. 12.4 13.9 10.2
A divided city and a capital for two state 32.9 35.2 29.5
An international open city under international administration 20.4 18.4 23.4
Other, please specify 34.2 32.5 36.9

(For the Israelis). From the Palestinian point of view, the concept of a sovereign Palestinian state implies the fulfilment of the following; Israeli withdrawal to the pre 67 war borders (the Green Line); East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine; Evacuation of all Jewish settlemtns in the territories, Which of these conditions is acceptable or not acceptable in your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 1999)

Israeli withdrawal to the pre 67 war borders (the Green Line)

 
Israeli  Total 
Israeli Jewish 
Israeli Arabs 
 
n. = 1002
n. = 502
n. = 500
Completely acceptable
 13.0
5.9 
70.5 
Acceptable 
 18.4
 18.4
 18.6
Unacceptable
 18.6
 20.4
 4.2
Completely unacceptable 
 46.7
 52.3
 0.7
Don't know
3.3
3.0
6.0

East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine

 
Israeli Total 
Israeli Jewish 
Israeli Arabs 
 
n. = 1002
n. = 502
n. = 500
Completely acceptable
 12.6
 5.1
73.0 
Acceptable 
 13.5
 12.9
 18.0
Unacceptable
 16.5
 18.1
 3.8
Completely unacceptable 
 56.3
 63.0
 1.9
Don't know
1.3
1.0
3.3

Evacuation of all Jewish settlements in the territories

 
Israeli  Total 
Israeli Jewish 
Israeli Arabs 
 
n. = 1002
n. = 502
n. = 500
Completely acceptable
 16.5
 8.5
81.2 
Acceptable 
 15.1
 15.5
 12.2
Unacceptable
 23.6
 26.0
 3.8
Completely unacceptable 
 42.2
 47.3
 0.5
Don't know
2.6
2.6
2.3

Turning to the views of Israelis, to the best of your knowledge, what is generally most important for Israelis: Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem, retaining control over settlements and West Bank territory, or preventing the return of refugees? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2000)

 
Total 
West Bank
Gaza Strip
n= 1200
n=762
n=438
Israel sovereignty over East Jerusalem 
22.4
24.1
19.4
Retaining control over settlements and West Bank territory 
5.8
5.4
6.6
Denying the return of refugees
7.9
9.1
5.9
All three equally important
59.7
56.2
65.8
I don't know/No answer
4.2
5.2
2.3

 

Total %

West Bank %

Gaza Strip %

Looking at the issue of the Palestinian state and borders, some media reports say that the Palestinian side has agreed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, recognized by Israel, in 96% of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in exchange for territory from inside Israel, and Israel would annex settlements blocs in the remaining 4%. What do you think of this position? (Source: PSR, July 2000)

1.This position is just right

31.5

30.1

33.7

2. Not enough of a compromise

11.4

9.0

15.0

3. Too much of a compromise

50.6

52.7

47.4

4. Don't know

6.3

8.2

3.9

Total %

West Bank %

Gaza Strip %

 

Looking at the issue of settlements, some media reports say that the Palestinian side has agreed to allow Israel to annex the settlements of Gush Etzion, Ma'aleh Adumim, Givat Zeev, and Ariel and to allow other settlements to remain under Palestinian sovereignty in exchange for territory form inside Israel and for receiving a corridor that would link the West Bank with Gaza. What do you think of this position? (Source: PSR, July 2000)

1.This position is just right

25.4

26.2

24.2

2. Not enough of a compromise

11.8

8.9

16.4

3. Too much of a compromise

55.3

56.4

53.6

4. Don't know

7.5

8.5

5.8

From your point of view, the following Israeli violations from the most harmful to the less harmful to Palestinian people? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 2002)

 
One 
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
1. Closure and checkpoints
28.0 
17.2 
15.6 
14.7
12.4
10.9
2. Assassinations
34.5 
25.9 
16.2 
12.6
7.3
3.1
3.Incursion of PA areas
14.8 
16.4
17.1 
15.9
23.0
11.7
4. Settlers attacks
2.4
7.4
8.8
15.2
20.7
43.9
5. Killings
 9.9
17.6 
33.4 
21.3
17.4
10.5
6. Shelling
10.2 
15.1 
19.2 
19.2
17.5
17.5
7. No answer
0.2
0.5
0.7
0.7
1.6
2.3