Poll: Most Palestinians say Qassams detrimental
Survey released by An-Najah University in Nablus indicates 61 percent of Palestinians believe rocket attacks on Israel are harmful; 65.7 percent support limiting armed struggle to West Bank, and 68 percent say they will not leave to another country
A new poll released Sunday by the An-Najah University in Nablus indicates that that 42.4 percent of the Palestinians are opposed to the Qassam rocket attacks on Israel, but 61.4 percent of the Palestinians are convinced that the Qassam attacks against Israel are detrimental to the Palestinian national cause.
The poll, where 1,360 Palestinians were asked about their positions, also indicates that 65.7 percent support limiting the armed conflict against Israel to the confines of the West Bank, whereas 29.5 percent of the Palestinians support expanding it to Israel as well.
As to the continued struggle against Israel, 35 percent of Palestinians think that the armed conflict still serves the Palestinian cause, whereas 27.4 percent of the Palestinians who think that negotiations with Israel should be restarted. In addition, 14.6 percent of Palestinians believe that a non-violent struggle is the best way to go.
And what about the future? According to the poll, 56 percent of Palestinians are pessimistic about the situation in the current state, as opposed to 41.8 percent who say they are optimistic.
About 70 percent of Palestinians mentioned that their economic situation has been worsened in the current period, compared to only 4.4 percent who said their situation improved.
'Unity government to benefit civilians'
In reference to the proposed Palestinian unity government, a majority think it will make life better for them, with 54.3 percent saying that a unity government is the best governing system, compared to 23 percent who want a complete technocrat government.
Only 10 percent of Palestinians wish to see a narrow Fatah government and 7 percent want a narrow Hamas government.
The poll also indicates that 65.5 percent of Palestinians are convinced that a unity government could get them out of the international boycott, compared to 23.5 percent who think that it could not.
In addition, 30.7 percent think that international intervention is preventing the unity government from being formed.
The poll also shows that the disagreement over the political plans, the portfolio distribution, and the unwillingness of the two parties, equally get the blame for the unity government not taking off.
As to the Palestinians wanting to immigrate to other countries, 68 percent said that despite the economic situation, they have no intentions of leaving the Palestinian territories to another country.
