Development Studies Programme
(Survey # 5: The Intifada, & America's Relations with the Arab World)

1. The Aftermath of the 11th of September Events

• A majority of Palestinian respondents (over 76%) oppose any Arab or Palestinian participation in the coalition against terrorism led by the United States.
• 92% feel that attacks against "terrorists" targets will only lead to further attacks against U.S. targets.
• Only 7% feel that the U.S. is justified in attacking Afghanistan; 89% feel that it is not justified.
• 64% believe that the attacks against civilians in the United States are inconsistent with Islamic Sharia'.
• 48% feel that attacks such as the ones that took place in the United States are against Arab and Islamic interests.

2. Perceptions of the United States

• 65% have no negative feelings against the American people, but a large majority has negative feelings toward U.S. policies in the region.
• About 90% feel that the American bias towards Israel and continuing sanctions against Iraq are the most important factors leading to antagonism against the U.S. in the Arab World.
• 59% feel that the Arab media's distortion of the U.S. is a very important factor leading to antagonism against the U.S. in the Arab World.
• A majority of Palestinians think that the U.S. respects the rights of its citizens (66%) and practices democracy within its borders (53%).
• A majority of Palestinians think that the U.S. is rich at the expense of the poor around the world (87%), has high crime rates (84%), and encourages the proliferation of arms and wars (71%).
• 45% would like to see positive aspects of the U.S. take hold in the Arab World.
• 47% feel that America's relations with the Arab world are deteriorating.
• 44% of all age groups watch American movies and TV shows.
• Over 45% of West Bank residents have a relative residing in the U.S or carrying an American passport.

3. Arab Regimes

• Only a minority of respondents said that Arab regimes practice democracy (18%), respect citizens' rights (27%), treat citizens equally (20%), respect freedom of the press (25%), or respect the rights of minorities (37%).
• About 31% feel that the Arab people know what their governments are doing concerning issues of importance to them.

4. The Intifada

• 46% are dissatisfied with how the Intifada is currently proceeding; 37% are satisfied and 16% are "somewhat satisfied."
• 46% are optimistic that the Intifada will achieve positive results; 37% are pessimistic.
• 72% feel that the losses Palestinian society endured during the last year have exceeded the gains.
• 75% feel that the meeting with Mr. Peres, the Israeli Foreign Minister, is of no benefit and will not achieve peace for the Palestinians.
• 91% feel that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Government is not serious about reaching a final resolution to the conflict.
• The aforementioned points are only two reasons why a majority (57%) don't support the latest ceasefire declaration made by President Yassir Arafat. About 40% support the declaration of a ceasefire.
• 25% support the use of "peaceful means only" during the Intifada; 40% support the use of both armed and peaceful means at the same time.
• Only 19% evaluate the performance of President Arafat during the Intifada as "negative"; 38% see His performance as "positive" and 36% see it as "fair."
• The increase in the popularity of Hamas and Islamic Jihad is continuing. Those who declare support for "Islamists" comprise 31% when compared with 23% in September 2000. At the same time, support for Fateh is still declining (from 33% in September to 20% now).