Part One: The Impact of  Israeli Closures on Palestinian Life

The results reveal that 42% of Palestinian families have a monthly income of less than $150. This percentage reaches 49% in the Gaza Strip and 37% in the West Bank. In total, 78% tell us that their monthly income is less than $300.

In addition, 43% of those surveyed describe their economic conditions as being “bad” or “very bad.”  This percentage increases to 48% in the West Bank and 37% in the Gaza Strip.  47% in Gaza and 36% in the West Bank describe their condition as “average.” In contrast, 16% of the respondents describe their family’s economic conditions as “good” or “very good.”

The vast majority of households (74%) have partly or entirely lost their income. A little less than one third of the respondents (28%) say their families have completely lost their income during the Intifada.  56% of the families have lost a part of their income.

Compared with data obtained in a February 2001 poll, the current poll reveals further deterioration of Palestinian living conditions. To cope with economic stress, the following mechanisms were used:

·        78% of the respondents said that they are spending their savings. The percentage was (55%) in February, a 23-point increase.

·         The percentage of families who had to borrow money increased from 43% in February to 56% now.

·        46% of women had to sell their jewelry and other gifts from their weddings so as to meet their families’ basic needs. This is compared with 28% in February.

·        The current closure has affected the type of work Palestinians are engaged in. The percentage of those who have had to resort to domestic farming and animal husbandry has increased from 17% in February to 33% now.  

·        There was an increase in the percentage of those forced to sell their land or other property. This percentage reached 22% compared with 4% in February (See Table 1).

·       The deterioration of living conditions is further revealed in education and health indicators. About 54% of respondents said they were unable to pay for their or their children's education. The rates are almost the same for West Bank and Gaza households (55% in the West Bank and 52% in Gaza). Refugees were most affected.  56% of refugees said they could not afford a suitable education for their children.  46% of villagers and 44% of city dwellers said the same.

·              The inability to be able to afford a proper education is also widespread among families with educated parents.  34% of those holding BA degrees said that they were unable to afford a proper education for their children.  Nonetheless, the data shows the least educated still have the most difficulty affording education for their children (49% of the illiterate, 53% of elementary degree holders).

·              In the health field, 46% of Palestinians said they were unable to afford health services for themselves and/or for their families were they to become ill. The percentages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were close. Refugee camp residents were most affected.  53% of refugees said they were unable to afford  health services for their children, while the same was said by 44% of villagers and 47% of city dwellers.

·              As in the field of education, affordability of health services is correlated with education. The data shows that the least educated are the least able to provide health services for themselves and/or for their families (60% of those who are illiterate, 50% of elementary degree holders, and 30% of BA holders).

·              Of those interviewed, 56% said there are people in their neighborhood that can not provide food for their families. The rate reaches 60% in Gaza Strip, and 54% in the West Bank. In addition, 65% of refugee camp residents said they knew families in their neighborhood that can not provide food for their members.  The percentage was 57% in villages and 52% in cities.

·              About 31% of the male respondents said that they would be willing to immigrate if they had the opportunity to do so. This is compared with 21% of the female respondents.

·              38% of Palestinians who returned to the West Bank and Gaza after 1994 (with the establishment of the PNA) were willing to immigrate. This was in comparison to 26% who had resided in the West Bank and Gaza prior to the start of the Oslo process. This gap might be explained by the fact that (returnees) tend to on average be younger than the rest of the population.

Part Two: Societal Priorities

·              There are mixed feelings about the state of affairs within the Palestinian community. On the one hand, 75% feel that there is growing solidarity between neighbors and that people are assisting one another, on the other, an equal percentage feel that disputes are increasing among residents.

·              On the other hand, 72% believe no one abides by the laws, and 50% say violence is being used more often to resolve disputes.  Still, 54% say that the police have no role in their community (as most police stations were destroyed by the Israeli Army). 

·              When it comes to internal politics, Palestinians are increasingly ambivalent. Over 75% of the respondents said that they “have left politics to the politicians,” and that they have no interest in internal political affairs.

Those surveyed were asked to state the importance of certain social problems, the following results were significant:

·              Over 95% felt unemployment and poverty were “significant” or “very significant.”

·              Juvenile delinquency, PA corruption, commercial fraud, doctors’ negligence, and unsanitary surroundings also scored over 90%.

·              The least significant of all problems listed by respondents was the “situation of women.”  70% felt the situation of women was a “significant” or a “very significant” problem.

·              There was a discrepancy of attitudes between  Gaza and the West Bank concerning the severity of the following problems:

1-     Smoking: 87% of Gazan respondents versus 73% West Bankers said it was a “significant” issue.

2-     Immigration: 78% of West Bank respondents versus 68% of Gazans ranked this problem as “highly significant.”

3-     Status of Women: 73% of  West Bank respondents versus 65% Gazans considered the status of women a “significant” issue

4-     Commercial fraud: 93% of West Bank respondents versus 89% of Gazans rated this problem as being “significant.”

5-     Environmental pollution: 81% of West Bank respondents versus 86% Gazans thought it to be a “significant” problem.

·              When respondents were asked to select what they perceive to be the most significant social problem of all, poverty received the highest mark, as 17% of the respondents ranked it as number one, followed by corruption within the PNA. Unemployment and drugs came third and fourth. Out of the problems listed, pollution and women’s rights came last.

Part Three: Reform and Elections

·              A majority of Palestinians (81%) believe that reforming PNA institutions is a pressing matter. A higher percentage in Gaza (86%) thought reform was pressing when compared to those living in the West Bank (74%).

·              If implemented, 74% believe reform would benefit the Palestinian cause.76% of men and 71% of women surveyed believe that if reform were to be implemented, it would benefit the Palestinian cause.

·              57% of those surveyed support creating a Prime Minister who would work alongside the President. In contrast, 30% opposed the idea of a prime minister’s office.

·              Support for the creation of a prime minister’s position increases with education.

·              49% say formation of the new ministerial cabinet would have a positive impact on improving the Palestinian image in the international media. About 40% believe that the new cabinet will improve the performance of PNA institutions and will reduce corruption. Only 27% believe the formation of the new cabinet will have a positive bearing on ending Israeli occupation.

·              31% of those who are illiterate believe the new cabinet will have a positive impact on ending Israeli occupation, compared with 22% of BA and diploma holders.

·              58% support an elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) even if present conditions remain the same. This idea of a PLC elections has had more support in Gaza (64%) than in the West Bank (54%).

·              Support for holding legislative elections declines with education.  64% of those who are illiterate are supportive compared with 50% of BA holders.

·              Young people are the least supportive of a PLC elections.

·              Concerning local elections, there is wider support for them than for legislative elections.  75% are supportive of local elections.

·              A majority (65%) say they intend to participate in the legislative council elections. A larger percentage in Gaza (71%) said that they will participate, when compared with the West Bank (61%).

·              70% of the males and 60% of the females say they intend to participate in legislative elections.

·              The educated are the most willing to participate in any upcoming legislative elections.

·              65% of those who are illiterate, versus 75% of BA holders and 58% of secondary certificate holders, say they intend to participate in legislative elections.

Part Four: Fears of Internal Fighting in Gaza

·              Over 45% say the PNA and Hamas share responsibility for the bloody events that broke out in Gaza on October 6 (mentioned in the Context section).

·               26% hold the PNA responsible for the confrontation. The percentage of those who have the same opinion increases to 32% in Gaza.  42% of refugee camp residents hold the PNA responsible for the clashes, compared with about 24% of city and village dwellers.

·              Only 7% hold Hamas mainly responsible for the above events.  The percentage rose to 8% in the West Bank and declined to 5% in Gaza Strip.

·              45% believe the Gaza incidents are not indicative of increasing internal fighting in contrast to 40% of Palestinians who believe this is what is happening. The percentage rose in the Gaza Strip to 46% while it was 36% in the West Bank. 57% of males surveyed believe the Gaza events are not likely to cause further internal warring, an opinion voiced by 39% of the female respondents.

·              75% of respondents believe the PNA has the right to take all necessary measures to keep public order.

Part Five: Assessment of the Intifada and Armed Attacks

·              Among those surveyed, 63% say that they are dissatisfied with how the Intifada is proceeding. Dissatisfaction is higher in Gaza (68%) than it is in the West Bank (63%).

·              Women are less satisfied with the Intifada than men.  66% of female respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the present state of the Intifada, compared with 59% of the males.

·              The less educated are the least satisfied group, where 71% of those who are illiterate say that they are dissatisfied with the Intifada. This compares with 52% of BA holders and 51% of diploma holders.

·              Young respondents in the age group 16-17 are the most dissatisfied. Seventy nine percent of young respondents expressed this dissatisfaction. The average dissatisfaction among the other age groups was about 60%.

·              As to their feelings about the outcome of the current Intifada, respondents are divided. The percentage of optimists who believe the Intifada will achieve positive results for the Palestinian cause reached 46%. The gap between Gaza and the West Bank, however, was very apparent. The rate of optimism rose to 57% in Gaza, compared to 39% in the West Bank.

·              32% of those surveyed suggested the Intifida will not achieve positive results. This percentage rose to 35% in the West Bank and declined in Gaza to 25%.

·              Palestinians are also divided over the issue of attacks against Israeli civilians. About 30% feel attacks on Israeli civilians have had a negative impact on the Palestinian cause. 20% feel they have no impact (positive or negative).

·              In comparison, 46% say attacks against Israeli civilians have achieved positive results for the Palestinian cause.

·              There is a wide gap between the West Bank and Gaza concerning attitudes about attacking civilians. 56% percent of Gaza respondents say attacks against Israeli civilians have some positive impact, compared with 39% of West Bank respondents. In contrast, 34% of West Bank respondents and 23% of Gaza respondents feel that attacks against civilians have had a negative impact.

·              In sum, 54% of West Bank respondents and 40% of Gaza respondents feel attacks on Israeli civilians have no impact or a negative impact. 

·              Men were more positive in evaluating attacks than women.  51% of male respondents and 41% of female respondents say attacks against civilians have had a positive impact.

Part Six: The American “Road Map” Plan (**Important note: Questions concerning this plan were only directed at Palestinians with 12 years of education or more)

·              Slightly less than half of the respondents (47%) have heard about the plan.  53% have not heard about it at all. More respondents in the West Bank (52%) have heard about it than in Gaza (42%).

·              55% of males say they heard about the American plan compared with 37% of females.

·              In general, 63% showed support for some points of the American plan and opposition to other points. The percentage of those who express this opinion was 68% of Gazans compared with 59% of those from the West Bank.

·              22% expressed their overall agreement with the American plan and 14% expressed their overall opposition. The opposition was 19% in the West Band and 8% in the Gaza Strip.

·              In general, middle income respondents (1401-2100)-(4201-6200) NIS per month are most supportive of the American plan, as about 35% of them expressed support for it.

·              Students are least supportive of the plan.

·              The most opposition to the plan was directed at the following two points:

1- 69% oppose the call that the PNA immediately stop the armed uprising and put an end to the various forms of violence against Israelis.

2- 65% oppose issuing a clear and unambiguous statement reiterating Israel's right to live in peace and security.

·              At the same time, a majority of respondents were supportive of negotiations. 77% agreed to negotiations through an international conference.