Development Studies Programme
(Survey # 2: The Palestinian Intifada and the Peace Process)

In analyzing the results of the present opinion poll, it is important to take into account the period during which the field research was conducted, as it could well be among the most difficult periods that Palestinian society has ever lived through. Throughout the data collection period (September 29th – early November 2000), the West Bank and Gaza saw near constant clashes with the Israeli Occupation Forces. These confrontations resulted in the following:

1) Over 174 Palestinians were killed, more than one-third of them children, and over 8,000 Palestinians were wounded. Of the wounded, over 1,000 sustained injuries that will result in permanent disability. On the Israeli side, the number of those killed was 10, most of them soldiers or settlers.

2) For the first time in decades, Israel bombarded Palestinian cities and towns, using artillery and tank fire. These assaults lead to the destruction of a large number of houses and civilian and security establishments.

3) During the last few months, the West Bank has been totally separated from the Gaza Strip. Both regions have been cut off completely from Jerusalem. In addition, all major towns have been cut off from each other. As a result, large numbers of Palestinians were not allowed to reach their places of work or visit their families.

4) The recent Israeli siege prevented about 120,000 Palestinian workers from reaching their places of work inside Israel. In addition, the import and export of raw materials was prohibited. The various border closures, moreover, led to a hike in unemployment rates, reaching an estimated 45% in the Gaza Strip and 33% in the West Bank. The siege also resulted in severe economic losses, estimated between 500 million and one billion US dollars during the first five weeks of the Intifada.

5) Throughout the same period, various meetings have been held between the PNA, Israel, USA, Egypt, Jordan and others. Most of these discussions have focused on reaching an agreement to put an end to "acts of violence" and to prepare for a resumption of negotiations. Among the most important of these meetings was the Sharm al-Shaikh summit (16-17 October 2000). The results of these meetings have not had a significant impact on the continuing Intifada.

6) Throughout the current Intifada, Palestinian society has attempted to maintain a semblance of normal life. After initial closures, most children have returned to school despite major Israeli hurdles. Most Palestinian shops have been kept at least partially open throughout the conflict. Work has continued in PNA ministries and other civil-society institutions, though their work has been negatively affected by the siege.

7) An emergency Arab Summit convened in Cairo on 21-22 October 2000, amidst popular protests and demonstrations in most Arab and Islamic capitals. The Summit held Israel responsible for the violence and a fund was set up to support the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia broke off relations with the State of Israel. All this was accompanied by demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people in different countries around the world.

The current Intifada has been fueled by recent events that have evolved over the past few years. These include, inter alia:
1) The peace process initiated in 1991 failed to achieve political solutions to the Palestine question on the basis of international legitimacy and UN Resolutions 242 and 338. The interim period that was supposed to be over in 1999 dragged on with no end in site. All of the core issues that are of utmost concern to the Palestinians (the question of Jerusalem, refugees, borders, water and settlements) have not yet been resolved. The establishment, in the short-term, of an independent sovereign Palestinian state is seen as unlikely.

2) Meanwhile, Israel continued to tighten its stranglehold on the Palestinians and has strengthened its occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This has been achieved by expropriating land, establishing new settlements, increasing the number of settlers, and securing control over borders, water, and most of the Palestinian land. At the same time, Israeli policies have severed ties between and inside the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This situation reflects the various agreements that have given Israel absolute control over Areas (C), major control over Areas (B), and the ability to impose permanent siege over Areas (A).

3) In the wake of the peace process, Palestinian living conditions have not improved. In fact, the gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by more than 20 percent. Border closures have been maintained, increasing unemployment. At its best, the Palestinian poverty rate was 23 percent.