Palestinian Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes About Terrorism

Note: We are presenting raw data. To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Sample size, question-wording, and question order can affect results and reliability. Context and timing may also influence responses, for example, if the survey is conducted during a war. The question wording is not exact in polls in Arabic translated to English).

Regarding militant escalation in different areas of the West Bank namely in Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Hebron... Do you support or oppose the actions or confrontations initiated by young militant groups? (AWRAD, October 6-17, 2024)

Do you believe that these actions or confrontations are helpful or unhelpful to achieve the objective of an independent Palestinian state? (AWRAD, October 6-17, 2024)

Are you concerned that a similar escalation to that in Gaza will take place in the West Bank? (AWRAD, October 6-17, 2024)

How much do you support the military operation carried out by the Palestinian resistance led by Hamas on October 7th? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)

In your opinion, what was the main reason for the operation launched by the Palestinian resistance on 7th October? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)

Do you support or oppose the shooting of two settlers in Huwara? (PSR, March 8-11, 2023)

In your view, what is the best means of achieving Palestinian goals in ending the occupation and building an independent state? (PSR, September 2015; September 2017; September 11-14, 2019; September 15-18, 2021; September 9-12, 2020; December 2022)

In the absence of negotiations, how do you think the Palestinians should go about achieving their goals? (PSR, December 2015, September 2017, September 15-18, 2021; December 2022)

Armed groups, such as the Jenin Battalion and the Lions’ Den, have recently appeared in parts of the West Bank such as the Jenin refugee camp and the old city in Nablus. Are you for or against the formation of such armed groups that do not take orders from the Palestinian Authority and are not part of the official security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

To what extent you fear the formation of these armed groups might lead to internal armed conflict between them and the PA security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

The Palestinian Authority has asked the members of the armed groups in Nablus and Jenin to surrender and give up their arms in order to protect them from Israeli assassination. Are you for or against such a surrender and the give up of arms to the PA security services? (PSR, (December 2022)

Do you think the PA security services have the right to arrest members of these armed groups in order to prevent them from carrying out armed attacks against Israel or to ensure their protection? (PSR, (December 2022)

When thinking about the future of these armed groups, do you expect them to expand and spread to other areas in the West Bank or do you expect the PA to contain its spread or Israel to arrest its members? (PSR, (December 2022)

After the cessation of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, would you support or oppose adopting the following options? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)
Return to the armed intifada and confrontation

More than three weeks ago an explosive device led to the death of an Israeli and the injury of two near the settlement of Dolev, west of Ramallah. Do you support or oppose this type of armed attacks? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)

In this regard, how do you see the future? Is this incident the beginning of a return to armed struggle or is it a one-time incident? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, September 11-14, 2019)

Do you think ISIS serves the Palestinian cause? Does it harm it? Or does it have no impact on the cause?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

Lately, there has been news in the media about ISIS forces advancing in Iraq and Syria. What responses do you have towards this: very positive, moderately positive, moderately negative, or very negative?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

To what extent do you support or oppose the continuation of knife attacks against Israelis?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the continuation of the current uprising?
            (JMCC, March 2016)

At this moment, do you support or oppose a Third Intifada?
            (AWRAD, February 2016)

Do you believe that a new Intifada would advance or impede the Palestinian quest towards statehood?
             (AWRAD, February 2016)

What is your opinion of ISIS?
            (PCPSR, September 2015, December 2015)

Do you support or oppose the war waged by the West and Arab countries against ISIS?
            (PCPSR, September 2015, December 2015)

Do you think that most Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces in the most recent violence actually attacked someone?
             (PCPSR, December 2015)

Do you think that the current confrontations will lead to a new, armed intifada?
             (PCPSR, December 2015)

Say a third uprising (intifada) erupts; would you be in favor of a peaceful popular uprising or in favor of a violent one?
             (PCPO, November 2015)

According to your opinion, is what happening now in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are fleeting confrontations, a popular stir or a third Intifada?
             (PCPO, November 2015)

To what extent do you think ISIS has a presence in the Gaza Strip?
             (JMCC, August, 2015)

Do you believe that the ISIS phenomena is widespread among Palestinians?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

Do you believe the practices of ISIS that you see in the media are justifiable in creating a real Islamic State?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

Do you believe that ISIS represents real Islam?
            (IMRA, July 29, 2015)

What is your opinion of Palestinian Islamic Jihad?
             (The Washington Institute, July 2015)

What is your opinion of Hezbollah?
         (The Washington Institute, July 2015)

Do you support or oppose suicide bombings operations against Israeli civilians?
          (Not necessarily exact question wording)

What are your views of the following Muslim extremist groups?
          (Pew Research Center, September 2013)

Do rockets fired from Gaza toward Israel help, harm or make no difference to the Palestinian goals?
          (Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, March 2013)

Did you support or oppose the August 2010 Hamas attack on settlers near Hebron that resulted in the death of four settlers? (PCPSR, October 2010)

Follow up: What do you believe was Hamas' motivation behind the attack? (PCPSR, October 2010)

Do you support or oppose armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel? (Harry Truman Research Institute/PCPSR, March 1-7, 2009)

Do you support or oppose launching rockets from the Gaza Strip against Israeli towns and cities such as Sderot and Ashkelon? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, March 13-15, 2008)

Do you support or oppose the bombing attack that took place in a religious school in West Jerusalem? (Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, March 13-15, 2008)

Do you consider acts such as the kidnapping of foreigners, the burning of internet cafe's, and the bombing of foreign schools as criminal acts deserving condemnation, or as nationalistic acts deserving support? (Truman Center/PSR, June 12-20, 2007)

Is the conflict in Gaza between factions or individuals? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Do you support or oppose the firing of rockets into Israel by Palestinian factions? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Does firing rockets into Israel provide any real benefit to the Palestinians? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Palestinian factions blamed for violence in the Gaza Strip: (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Do you support or oppose releasing Alan Johnston without conditions? (Near East Consulting, May 22 and 24 2007)

Effect of Palestinian Suicide Bombings on Chances for Self-Determination (Gallup, January 2006)

Do you support the resumption of the military operations against Israeli targets as a suitable response within the current political conditions, or do you oppose them and find them harmful to Palestinians national interests? (Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, February 2006)

Hamas has executed violent operations against Israeli targets inside Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza strip against civilians and against military troops, now and after Hamas victory in the PLC elections, do you believe that Hamas should continue with such operations or that it should halt them?(Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, February 2006)

The PA president, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, called upon the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” to abandon violence and to hold a dialogue with Fateh saying that the atmosphere is appropriate now for conducting such a political dialogue, which is considered to be indispensable.  Do you agree with that, or not? (PCPO, June 6-11/2005)

And who do you believe planned the 9/11 attacks against the United States? (PORI, September 2003)

Terrorism is NEVER justified under any circumstances. (PORI, September 2003)

Hamas is a terrorist group. (PORI, September 2003)

[Hamas are freedom fighters.] (PORI, September 2003)

If the Ministry of Education wanted to name a youth soccer tournament after Baruch Goldstein who killed unarmed Palestinians in an attack, would that be a good ting or bad thing? (PORI, September 2003)

Do you consider Palestinian bombings of Israeli buses and restaurants to be acts of terrorism? (PORI, September 2003)

Do you consider attacks by Israelis against Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders to be acts of terrorism? (PORI, September 2003)

Some say that the ideal way to achieve Palestinian national goals is through negotiations, others say through armed struggle, what is the opinion closer to your viewpoint? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 2002)

In general, do you support or oppose Arab participation in the "International Coalition Against Terrorism" led by the U.S.? (Source: IMRA, October 2001)

Do you think that attacks such as the ones in the U.S. are consistent with Arab interests? (Source: IMRA, October 2001)

The following questions were asked immediately after several terrorist attacks in late February and early March 1996

Do you believe that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should prevent such attacks? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

Do you think that the PA should prevent such attacks by force or by persuasion? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

(This question was asked only to those who said that the PA should prevent such attacks)

Do you think that the PA is capable of preventing such attacks? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

Have you been exposed personally to provocations from Israelis as a result of the attack? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

Are you afraid from revenge by Israelis? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

Are you afraid now from using Israeli buses? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

Is your fear a result of the treatment of Israeli passengers or from explosions? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

(This question was asked only to those who said that they are afraid now from using Israeli buses)

Do you feel that the suicidal attacks contribute to the achievement of Palestinian National goals ? (Source: JMCC Poll, March 1996)

To what extent do you support or oppose the idea of forming a national salvation authority through which Hamas can join in the ruling? (Source: JMCC, March 1999)

Which position serves Hamas best, Taking power , participating in the authority with other or not participating at all in the authority? (Source: JMCC, March 1999)  

Fateh movement is considered the main party in the Authority while Hamas is considered the main opposition pole; to what extent do you believe in the possibility of any cooperation between them? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 2001)

Do you believe that the wave of agitations and confrontations of last month was to benefit to the Palestinian cause? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

During and in the aftermath of the incidents last month, how do you evaluate the performance of the PNA in benefiting from them? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

Some believe that the intervention of the Palestinian security forces in last month's confrontations was correct and the others believe that it was not. What is your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, November 1996)

Do you think armed resistance against Israel is still legitimate under the current political situation? (Source: JMCC Poll, Palestinian Attitudes, June 1995)

Do you support the continuation of military operations against Israeli targets as an adequate response to the current political conditions, or do you oppose it and see it as harmful to Palestinian national interests? (Source: JMCC Poll)

What about the intensification of Palestinian demonstration and protests against Israel? Do you support or oppose this intensification of Palestinian demonstrations and protests against Israel? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)

These are numerous ideas for solving the problems stemming from the recent violations of some aspects of the agreement (Abu Ghniem, Har Homa, closure of institutions, etc...) Some believe that the answer is to intensify the negotiations, other say the negotiations should be stopped, and others say the answer lies in intensifying popular protests. What is your opinion? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)  

In your opinion what should the PA (Palestinian Authority) do regarding popular protests. Do you think the PA should encourage these protests, should not interfere in these protests, or should the PA prevent these protests? (Source: JMCC Poll, April 1997)  

* Similar question asked in same poll

Follow up: If you answered yes, why?* (JMCC Poll, Palestinian Attitudes, June 1995)

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, the PA preventing violence against Israeli soldiers? (JMCC, March 2000)

Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilian settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, I…. (PCPSR)

Concerning armed attacks against Israeli soldiers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, I…. (PCPSR)

Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel, I…. (PCPSR)

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose, the PA preventing violence against Jewish settlers? (Source: JMCC, March 2000)  

Internal Palestinian efforts are underway to create a consensus around means of fighting Israeli occupation. These efforts call for cessation of armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel. Do you support or oppose these efforts? (Source: PSR, August 2002)

Do you strongly, or somewhat, support or strongly, or somewhat, oppose stopping all kind of operations inside Israel ? (Source: JMCC Poll)  

Some say that the ideal way to achieve Palestinian national goals is through negotiations, others say through armed struggle, what is the opinion closer to your viewpoint? (Source: JMCC Poll, December 2001)  

Are you with the resumption of the military operations only inside Israel, only inside the occupied territories or inside Israel and the occupied territories? (Source: JMCC Poll, September 2002)  

And what about Hizbullah methods and the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, do you think the Palestinians should emulate these Lebanese methods? (Source: PSR, July 2000)