Palestinian poll reveals decrease in support for stabbing attacks, armed intifada
Despite Wednesday evening's terror attack at a Tel Aviv restaurant, Palestinian support for stabbing attacks and an armed intifada decreased to 51 percent and 58 percent; Palestinian pollster Shikaki: support for stabbing attacks decreased as Palestinians see them as ineffective.
51% of Palestinians expressed support for the ongoing knife attacks, a decrease from the 58% of Palestinians, who voiced support for them in a poll conducted in March. In particular, 75% of Gazans and 36% of West Bankers said they are in favor of the knife attacks, compared to the 82% of Gazans and 44% of West Bankers, who said they back the stabbing attacks three months ago.
58% of Palestinians (68% in Gazans and 52% in the West Bank) said that if the current violence "develops into an armed intifada, such a development would serve the Palestinian national interests in a way negotiations could not." Just three months ago, 65 percent of Palestinians (75% of Gazans and 59% of West Bankers) said an armed intifada would serve the Palestinian national interest.
However, only 25% of Palestinians believe that the current violence will evolve into an armed intifada compared to the 29% of Palestinians, who said it will develop into an armed intifada three months ago.
Director of PCSPR Khalil Shikaki told Ynetnews that different reasons the explain decrease in support for stabbing and an armed intifada. He said support for stabbing attacks decreased because "the perception is that they are not effective and do not deliver the desired result."
Meanwhile, Shikaki posited that recent diplomatic activity likely explains the subtle decrease in support for an armed intifada. He said, "There is still a majority that supports an armed intifada. However, support for an armed intifada likely decreased because of recent diplomatic activity, (namely) the French Initiative."
Nonetheless, Shikaki cautioned, "The overall support for armed violence is higher than a year ago. (Thus), it is difficult to say violence is being abandoned."
Dozens of diners at a popular Tel Aviv restaurant on Wednesday night were shocked when the two terrorists suddenly got up from their tables and opened fire, shooting in all directions, claiming four lives and wounding 16.
The two attackers, cousins from Yatta in the Hebron area, were shot and neutralized at the scene. One of the terrorists died, the other is being treated in the hospital in critical condition.
