In the course of surfing around and looking at the state of things in the Arab world - part of my effort to try and assess what the impacts of Iraq and the recent changes in the Middle East might be - I found this recent poll, taken in June by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research.
5) From among the following factors, which one is the most important in determing your vote for one list against another?
Note that reaching a peace agreement was the most important for 17.2%, improving economic conditions was most important for 15.6 percent, fighting corruption was most important for 24.3 percent, and ensuring the continuation of the intifada was most important for 3.0 percent.
| 1) the political party or faction it belongs to | 8.9 | 8.7 | 9.2 |
| 2) The ability of the list to reach a peace agreement with Israel | 17.2 | 16.5 | 18.2 |
| 3) The ability of the list to insure the continuation of the intifada | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.4 |
| 4) The ability of the list to improve economic conditions | 15.6 | 14.7 | 16.9 |
| 5) The ability of the list to fight corruption and implement reform measures | 24.3 | 24.2 | 24.5 |
| 6) The ability of the list to enforce law and order | 8.2 | 8.7 | 7.5 |
| 7) The ability of the list to protect national unity | 11.6 | 12.4 | 10.4 |
| 8) The ability of the list to protect refugee rights in negotiations | 9.5 | 10.5 | 8.0 |
| 9) DK/NA | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Total% | West Bank% | Gaza Strip% |
I've argued for a while that the bulk of the Palestinian people - like the bulk of people anywhere want the same thing - a future for their children, a safe home, and the chance to build a better life for themselves.
I'll suggest that this poll supports that...
I tend to agree, but I often wonder if that is blind optimism, as I do not doubt will be suggested. I wonder what the result would have been had there been a "Destruction of Israel" choice.
I wonder if changing the "ensure the continuation" business to a less euphemistic choice ("kill the most Israelis"? "defeat Israel"? "destroy Israel"?) would have affected results much.
A.L.,
I'd take issue with the better future for their children sentiment, given how many polls find that a large majority of palestinian children would like to blow themselves up on a bus.
But that caveat aside... What is so remarkable here? It would be a lot easier if they wanted their children to live in filth, in crime-ridden streets run by corrupt terrorist militias.
The implication I think you're making is that, because they have normal, rational concerns about having jobs, walking on safe streets, etc, they are incapable - or at least unlikely - to hold the monstrous opinions of Jews and Israel that so many of them do.
There was a poll in Jordan recently that found that 100% of Jordanians have a negative opinion of Jews. Who here doubts that Jordanians, if polled, would also express their desire to live in a safe, prosperous, stable environment? You're right: the bulk of people want the same thing.
Unfortunately, that has never precluded the bulk of people holding truly disgusting beliefs at the same time.
A.L., have you seen Promises?