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Palestinian public opinion poll, October 2003
The Alternative Information Center
http://www.alternativenews.org

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:

The results of this poll point to a degree of
contradictions in Palestinian public attitudes
toward domestic political issues as well as issues
of peace and security. The results show a large
increase in Arafat´s popularity not seen during
the last five years. They also show widespread
support for his decision to declare a state of
emergency and to appoint Ahmad Qurai´ as a prime
minister. In addition, 60% support placing all
Palestinian security services under the control of
a national security council headed by Arafat.
Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of
Palestinians believe the increase in support for
Arafat is due to Sharon´s recent threats against
him. Moreover, more than 90% still support
internal and external calls for extensive
political reforms in the PA and 82% still believe
that corruption exists in the PA.

In the realm of peace and security, the findings
show widespread support, reaching 75%, for the
suicide attack at the Maxim restaurant in Haifa,
where 20 Israelis were killed. More than two
thirds believe that the Roadmap is dead and 78%
believe that current Israeli measures, including
the building of the separation wall, reduces that
chances for the establishment of a Palestinian
state in the future. Nonetheless, almost two
thirds support a return to the Hudna, 85% support
mutual cessation of violence, and, for the first
time since the establishment of the PA, 59%
support taking measures to prevent attacks on
Israelis after reaching an agreement on mutual
cessation of violence. Furthermore, about two
thirds still support a solution based on two
states: Israel and a Palestinian state in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Arafat´s popularity increases from 35% last June
to 50% in this poll. This is his highest level of
support in five years.

About 80% of Palestinians believe that Arafat has
become stronger and more popular due to Israeli
threat to expel or assassinate him.

Two thirds support Arafat´s declaration of state
of emergency while 26% oppose it

61% support the appointment of Ahmad Qurai (Abu
Ala´) as prime minister and 27% oppose it, but
only 48% are willing, and 37% unwilling, to give
confidence to his government.

60% support placing all Palestinian security
services under the command of a national security
council headed by Arafat.

46% believe that Abu Ala´ and his government will
be more capable than Abu Mazin and his government
in dealing with Arafat and the presidency; only
12% believe in the opposite.