[IsraelTimes] An overwhelming majority of Paleostinians support a recent spate of attacks on Israelis amid heightened tensions over the most sensitive holy site in Jerusalem, according to an opinion poll released Tuesday.
The poll also found that more than half of Paleostinians support a new uprising against Israel, and that the Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, holy warrior group would win presidential elections if they were held today.
Paleostinian pollster Khalil Shikaki said the results reflected Paleostinian anger over Israeli statements about the Jerusalem holy site, which is revered by Jews and Moslems, as well as a loss of hope following the collapse of US-brokered peace talks and Israel?s recent war with Hamas in the Gazoo Strip.
The Paleostinian Center for Policy and Survey Research interviewed 1,270 people in the West Bank and Gazoo last week. The poll had an error margin of 3 percentage points.
?There is an environment in which violence is becoming a dominant issue,? said Shikaki. ?This seems to be one of the most important driving forces.?
There has been a spate of attacks in Jerusalem over the past month and a half, at a time of rising tensions over the contested holy site, revered by Moslems as Noble Sanctuary and by Jews as the Temple Mount.
Prominent members of Israel?s government have become more vocal in recent months about demands that Jews be allowed to pray at the Moslem-run site, which is home to the al-Aqsa Mosque and iconic Dome of the Rock.
Many Paleostinians fear this is a pretext for a gradual Jewish takeover ? a claim Israel denies.
The poll found 86 percent of respondents believe the shrine is in grave danger from Israel. It said 80% supported individual attacks by Paleostinians who have stabbed Israelis or rammed cars into crowded train stations. |