Poll: Half of Palestinians support armed intifada against Israel

The poll found that 57% of respondents expected the eruption of a third intifada in the West Bank. Only 32% said they did not expect such a thing to happen.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militia linked to the Fatah movement, demonstrate against the Hamas government in the West Bank town of Ramallah October 4, 2006. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militia linked to the Fatah movement, demonstrate against the Hamas government in the West Bank town of Ramallah October 4, 2006.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A public opinion poll published on Tuesday showed that half of the Palestinian public supports an armed intifada against Israel.
The poll, published by the Nablus-based An-Najah University, included 1,360 Palestinians (860 from the West Bank and 500 from the Gaza Strip) above the age of 18, was conducted during the period from 11-13 September. It has a margin of error of three percent.
The poll showed that 49% of respondents favored an armed intifada against Israel as opposed to 44% who said they were against it.
Still, 56% said they supported an unarmed and non-violent resistance against Israel, while 35% expressed their opposition.
The poll found that 57% of respondents expected the eruption of a third intifada in the West Bank. Only 32% said they did not expect such a thing to happen.
According to the results, more than 70% of the respondents believe there will be another military encounter with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Another 84% said they supported the Palestinian Authority effort to join the International Criminal Court.
The poll also confirmed the results of a previous survey that indicated increased support for Hamas following Operation Protective Edge.
The An-Najah poll showed that if presidential elections were held today, 22% would vote for a Hamas candidate as opposed to 21% who would cast their ballots for a Fatah nominee. More than 17% of respondents said they would not participate in the elections.
The poll also found that Hamas would receive more votes in a parliamentary election - 23% for Hamas as opposed to 21% for Fatah.
Asked about the role of the US in the Middle East peace process, an overwhelming majority of 90% of respondents said they viewed the US as being biased in favor of Israel.
The poll showed that 54% of respondents still supported the two-state solution, while 42% are opposed to a one-state solution.