Development Studies Programme
(Survey # 1)
Main Results:
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Out of 15 governmental and non-governmental institutions listed in our survey, Palestinians said that universities were overwhelmingly the most trust-worthy. NGOs ranked # 4, immediately following the "Police", while the PNA Ministries ranked # 10. Palestinians trusted Palestinian opposition groups and political groups the least.
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42.9% said that their economic standard of living has worsened since the establishment of the PNA. In Gaza, over 50% felt that their economic conditions have worsened.
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46.4% felt that they were unable to pay for their children's education; and 44.3% felt unable to pay for proper health care services.
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40% said that the level of "free expression" is similar to those in Arab countries; 26.3% said that it was worse.
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70% said that the role the United Sates plays in making important decisions for Palestinians was "significant". 63% felt that Israel played a significant role in the decision making process of the Palestinians. 42.6% felt that the role of the PNA was significant.
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52.3% support the declaration of a Palestinian State on September 13, 2000.
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74% assess the role that the United States has played in the negotiations thus far as "biased towards Israel."
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43% negatively view the transition of power in Syria; 46.5% view the current regime there as "undemocratic, while only 16% view it as 'democratic".
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32.4% view the Palestinian political system as "undemocratic"; 21.7% view it as "democratic," and 39.8% view it as 'somewhat democratic."
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37.6% expect that a future Palestinian political system will be "similar" to those in the rest of the Arab World; 33.5% expect a "better" system, while 18.2% expect a "worse" system.
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63% feel safe concerning themselves, their families, and property.
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The most important goal to be achieved under a Palestinian State is that of "equality before the law."
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The most important attribute of a future president of Palestine is the "ability to face up to Israel." The least important attributes were: military security experience, history in the struggle, and belonging to an Islamic political party.
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38.4% would accept a "qualified" woman as a president of a future state; 50% disagreed
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44.1% said they do not support any of the existing political parties, and 38.5% would elect Yassir Arafat as a president given an election today.
Development Studies Programme: Survey #1 - Main Page