Palestinians back collection of weapons
Palestine, Politics, 10/26/1999

An overwhelming majority of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was found to be strongly in favor of collecting all unlicensed weapons from Palestinians living in the Palestine government areas.

A public opinion poll conducted by the Nablus-based Center for Palestinian Studies and Research showed that 86 percent of the public support this step. The poll reflected the mood among the Palestinians, and mainly in Nablus that has witnessed a series of internal feuds between Palestinians that led to torching cars of Palestine government officials and attempts to cause damage to their property.

The results of a sample questioning of 1,316 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza showed that the ratio of Palestinians who support collecting unlicensed arms rises in Jabalia Refugee Camp to 98 percent and goes down to 78 percent in Bethlehem on the West Bank. In Gaza city itself, the ratio was 93 percent; in Nablus 89 percent and in Hebron and Bethlehem to reach 78 percent. The poll showed that the ratio on this matter rises in the cities (93 percent) and decreases in camps (82 percent) while it increases among BA degree holders (96 percent) and goes down among illiterates (77 percent). The ratio among Hamas supporters was 84 percent and among Fatah supporters was 90 percent.

Support for the peace process, according to the poll conductors, remained unchanged with some 75 percent of those questioned expressed their support for a just peace with Israel. Yet, there was a slight increase in support for armed operations against Israel. Last month, those who supported armed attacks against Israel were 36 percent while the latest poll showed they grew up to 39 percent.

Those who said they could trust the Israeli government dropped down to reach 19 percent while on the day Ehud Barak was elected more than three months ago, 29 percent of the Palestinians said they trusted the new government in Israel.

The performance of Palestine government institutions came under fire in the poll which showed that only 37 percent of those questioned said it was good compared to a 40 percent three months ago. On corruption, 59 percent of the Palestinians said it was increasing or it would stay without change but 61 percent of the sample said the Palestine government has good intentions towards reform in its institutions.

Arafat's popularity, according to the poll, remained unchanged (42 percent). Others on the popularity list were Dr. Haidar Abddul Shafi (12 percent) and Sheikh Ahmad Yassin of Hamas 11 percent.

Previous Stories:
  Palestinian demonstrations against corruption and negligence   (10/25/1999)
  Cook meets with Arafat and Husseini   (10/25/1999)
  Moussa, Arafat discuss peace   (10/20/1999)

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