Bloodthirsty Liberal

Israel’s OK, It’s Jews We Don’t Like

Unless I’m very much mistaken, that seems to be the message of this poll, from the Jerusalem Media & Communication Center (Thanks to IMRA). Many respondents support continued negotiations with Israel–up to and including a two-state solution–while supporting Hamass at the same time:

Q11. The PLO and the PA signed an agreement with Israel, (Oslo Agreement) do you think that the new government headed by Hamas should go on with this agreement?

Hamas has to go on with this agreement 51.7
Hamas doesn’t have to go with this agreement 42.0
No answer 6.3

Q12. The PA is committed to the option of political negotiations with Israel. Do you believe that the new government headed by Hamas has to continue with the political negotiations, stop the political negotiations and should adopt other options?

To continue with the political negotiations 66.3
Stop the political negotiations 29.6
No answer 4.1

Q13. Do you see a contradiction between Hamas responsibility over the Palestinian government and its role in resisting Israel?

I see a contradiction 44.6
I don’t see a contradiction 52.3
No answer 3.1

Q15. Some believe that the negotiations are the best path to achieve our national goals, whereas others believe that the armed struggle is the best way to do so. Which option is the closest to your opinion?

Through Negotiations 38.8
Through armed struggle 17.9
Through negotiations and armed struggle 40.3
Don’t know 2.3 No answer 0.7

Q 16. Under the current conditions, some believe that the peace process is dead and there is no chance of resuming the negotiations, while others see that the peace process is passing through difficult times with unclear future, and a third group believes that the peace process is still alive and there is a possibility of resuming negotiations.

19.4 The peace process is dead and there is no chance of resuming the negotiations
52.1 The peace process is passing through difficult times with an unclear future
25.1 The peace process is still alive and there is a possibility of resuming negotiations
00.8 Others
2.6 Don’t know \ no answer

Q17. Some believe that a two-state formula is the favored solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while others believe that historic Palestine cannot be divided and thus the favored solution is a bi-national state on all of Palestine where Palestinians and Israelis enjoy equal representation and rights. Which of these solutions do you prefer?

Two-state solution: an Israeli and a Palestinian 57.9
Bi-national state on all of historic Palestine 22.3
One Palestinian state * 10.5
Islamic state * 2.7
No solution 3.9
Don’t know 1.6
No answer 1.1
*These answers were not included as part of the options read to the interviewee

Small to large majorities seem to approve continued negotiations–and some accommodation–with Israel. Then we get to this:

Q18. How do you feel towards suicide bombing operations against Israeli civilians? Do you support them, or oppose them?

Strongly support 22.4
Somewhat support 33.8
Somewhat oppose 24.3
Strongly oppose 16.4
No answer 3.1

Over 80%–four out of five!–support or only mildly oppose suicide bombing against Israeli civilians. Lest one think that’s part of the Palestinians’ romance for armed struggle, read on:

Q19. Do you support the resumption of the military operations against Israeli targets as a suitable response within the current political conditions, or do you oppose them and find them harmful to Palestinians national interests?

43.8 Suitable response within the current political conditions
51.5 I oppose them and find them harmful to Palestinian national interests
00.3 Others
02.8 Don’t know
01.6 No answer

Q20. Hamas has executed violent operations against Israeli targets inside Israel and in the West Bank and Gaza strip against civilians and against military troops, now and after Hamas victory in the PLC elections, do you believe that Hamas should continue with such operations or that it should halt them?

39.1 Hamas has to continue with its operations
51.7 Hamas has to stop its operations
0 9.2 No answer

Slim majorities oppose Hamass’ targeting of Israeli military targets, yet an overwhelming majority supports suicide bombings of Israeli civilians. Either there’s a strong streak of cowardice among the Palestinians, or they really, really hate Jews–unarmed ones anyway.