57% of Palestinians Expect Palestinian UN Bid to Succeed

RAMALLAH, September 18, 2011 (WAFA) – A survey showed that 57% of Palestinians expect that the Palestinian quest for recognition by the United Nations will succeed, while 43% think that the quest will fail, Sunday said a press release by the Near East Consulting’s (NEC) for September 2011.

The survey was conducted on a random sample of 865 Palestinians over the age of 18 in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including East Jerusalem, with a margin of error is +/-3.33% and a confidence level of 95%, said NEC.

It added that regarding the level of support for applying for statehood, 84% of the respondents said that they support this move, while about 67% also believe that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is capable of running its affairs in case recognition for a Palestinian state succeeded.

According to NEC, 87% of the participants believe that US will exercise severe measures against the Palestinians: 50% of the respondents to the survey believe that the US exercise its veto power, 10% believe that the US will only impose sanctions against the PA, while 27% feel that the US will do both. As for Israel, 90% think that Israel will impose even harsher measures against the Palestinians in response to this quest.

Despite US and Israel threats, Palestinians are indeed positive about approaching the UN for recognition, noted the press release.

It added that 78% feel that the recognition will reduce the tension between Fateh and Hamas and 58% are of the opinion that the Oslo process will become invalid once recognition of a state is achieved.

However, 70% are concerned about the rights of refugees while 53% think that recognition will have a negative impact on the Palestinians, at least in the short run.

“Although the majority prefer the PA to resort to the Security Council rather that to the General Assembly, 53% still believe that the General Assemble might be the best bet given the certainty of the US veto,” said NEC.

It added, “More concretely, 47% prefer the Security Council, 33% prefer resorting to the General Assembly, 14% said that the PA should resort to both organizations while 7% said that they prefer not to approach the UN altogether.”

On different issues, 89% of the Palestinians said that they oppose the regime of President Bashar Al-Asad and 44% feel that the situation in Egypt under Hosni Mubarak was better that nowadays, showed the survey.

Its results show a slight increase in the level of support for a peace agreement with Israel in comparison with the survey conducted by NEC in July 2011 (62% in September 2011 compared to 60% in July 201l), and in the same context, 57% of the Palestinians call on Hamas to change its position regarding the elimination of the state of Israel, added the press release.

As for factional trust, the press release showed that the popularity of Fateh has reached 40% compared to 7% that trusts Hamas, 3% stated other organizations and 9% refused to give their opinion while the majority (40%) said that they do not trust any faction.

Moreover, 53% said that they trust President Abbas most compared to 12% that favored Ismael Hanieh while 35% refused to give their opinion. As for the government that is perceived to be more legitimate, 53% stated that the Fayyad government is more legitimate, 12% said the Hanieh government is the legitimate one while 23% refrained from giving an opinion, added NEC.

It noted that when asking how the respondents identify themselves, 62% identified themselves first as Muslims (compared to 60% in July), 16% as Palestinians (compared to 18% in July 2011), 18% as human beings first, and 4% as Arabs first.

NEC showed that the increase in the level of identification with religion is also shadowed in the system of government the Palestinian people prefer most. About 44% of the respondents said that they believe that the Islamic system of government is the best for Palestine to be modeled after (compared to 46% in July,) 20% chose a system like one of the Arab countries, while 10% preferred a European system of government.

As for the economic situation, the results show that 41% of the Palestinians live below the poverty line (49% in the Gaza Strip and 36% in the West Bank). In addition, 24% of the Palestinians are believed to be unemployed and 9% work as part time, said the press release.

It said that the survey showed that 76% of the Palestinians are concerned about the current situation; 31% are extremely concerned and 45% somewhat concerned. The economic situation is the main reason for their concern followed by the Israeli occupation (an option that was not provided to the respondents) and 14% attributed their concern to the internal strife between Fateh and Hamas.

NEC concluded that 49% of the respondents said that they feel insecure.

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA