Plurality of Arabs in E. Jerusalem prefer Israeli citizenship to PA citizenship

http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2011/09/23/survey_says_palestinians_see_un_move_hurting_them_99691.html

A new and credible poll of east Jerusalem Palestinians shows that nearly half would prefer to become citizens of Israel rather than of a new Palestinian state - casting fresh doubts on the official Palestinian claim to the city. Only one-quarter (23 percent) of the city's nearly 300,000 Palestinian residents said they would "definitely" prefer Palestinian citizenship, despite the recent surge in nationalist activity leading up to this week's UN debate. Even more remarkably, 42 percent said they would actually move to a different neighborhood if necessary in order to remain under Israeli rather than Palestinian authority, confirming results from a similar survey administered by a Palestinian pollster in November 2010 and cosponsored by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.

The new survey - conducted September 4-10 by leading Palestinian pollster Dr. Nabil Kukali of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, in partnership with Princeton-based Pechter Middle East Polls - included a representative geographic probability sample of 500 respondents, yielding a margin of error of approximately 4 percent. Every one of east Jerusalem's nineteen Palestinian neighborhoods was sampled in exact proportion to its share of the total population, and the face-to-face interviews were conducted privately by local Palestinians in respondents' homes.

Participants offered several practical reasons for preferring Israeli citizenship: greater freedom of movement under Israel's jurisdiction, higher income, more employment opportunities, and a better social safety net, including health insurance, pensions, and disability benefits. Indeed, two-thirds reported that they travel not just to west Jerusalem, but also to other parts of Israel every week. At the same time, more than half of the respondents said they are concerned about increased corruption and decreased freedom of expression under Palestinian rule.

In another very timely finding, a solid majority - 59 percent - said that a UN declaration of a Palestinian state without Israel's agreement would actually have a negative effect on their lives. This figure is up substantially from the November 2010 Pechter poll, as the implications of such a unilateral declaration have become ever more apparent.

East Jerusalem Palestinians remain generally dissatisfied with the amount of income and property taxes they pay, and with the delays in travel caused by checkpoints or by Israel's West Bank security barrier. Yet a comparison of results from last November shows a significant improvement in perceptions of other issues.

For example, a majority (57 percent) are now satisfied with their standard of living, up from 44 percent in November. And just 43 percent now say they are dissatisfied on the issue of obtaining building permits - down greatly from around 70 percent in the previous survey. Similarly, only 16 percent now report dissatisfaction with Jerusalem municipal officials, a significant improvement compared to 35 percent in November.

Looking ahead, 21 percent say a new intifada in Jerusalem is very likely if peace negotiations with Israel collapse entirely; an additional 36 percent say this is somewhat likely. Surprisingly, these figures are actually down slightly from November 2010. More ominously, however, two-thirds predict that some groups would continue the "armed struggle" against Israel even if the two sides reached a peace agreement.

Views of leading political figures are decidedly mixed. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas scores relatively high with a 49 percent approval rating. But Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Israeli Arab Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah are not far behind, with 40 percent and 33 percent each. Remarkably, the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, is in the same league with 34 percent. By comparison, President Obama's popularity is considerably lower, at just 20 percent.

Overall, the political implications of this new poll are clear: official PA demands, including a UN declaration that east Jerusalem must be the capital of a new Palestinian state, actually go against the wishes of much of the city's Palestinian population. As a result, the United States and other governments are on very firm ground in opposing these demands, even from a democratic Palestinian standpoint.

On the other hand, the Abbas government may have hit on the one excellent negotiating tactic they have.

Should that happen, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, the PA could dissolve itself, forcing Israel to consider reassuming responsibility over all of the West Bank -- a major demographic and security liability for the Jewish state.

"We will invite you to become the only authority from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean," Erekat told Israel Radio.

They'd have to choose to be second-class citizens in a first-world country or to become citizens in something that'll start out as a dirt poor third-world country. Not a surprise they'd choose the former.

Originally posted by Barts
They'd have to choose to be second-class citizens in a first-world country or to become citizens in something that'll start out as a dirt poor third-world country. Not a surprise they'd choose the former.

Originally posted by normbenign
The same as the choice Americans made in 1776.

Originally posted by no1marauder
Hardly. The American colonies were certainly not "dirt poor".

You do know that Dr. Nabil Kukali has connections to the Israel project?

And that every survey conducted by the Israel project (and by Nabil Kukali in this respect) coincides with what the Israeli government want.

The polling Nabil Kukali uses sets out a series of questions upon which the questioned can give a priority. The results come out as such:

Which TWO of the following are the highest priority for President Abbas in dealing with national questions facing the Palestinian people?

1. Create new jobs 83%
2. Expand healthcare services and solve water shortages 36%
3. Strengthen schools and education 23%
4. Get Israel to life roadblocks and ease movement 23%
5. Build up the Palestinian government and institutions to prepare for becoming a Palestinian state 18%
6. Increase security with Palestinians policing more areas 7%
7. Get the UN to recognize a Palestinian state 4%
8. Pursue peace negotiations with Israel 2%
9. Secure foreign aid to the Palestinians 2%
10. Reduce the corruption in the government 2%
11. Promote mass protests against Israel 1%

Originally posted by sh76
On the other hand, the Abbas government may have hit on the one excellent negotiating tactic they have.

[quote]Should that happen, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, the PA could dissolve itself, forcing Israel to consider reassuming responsibility over all of the West Bank -- a major demographic and security liability for the Jewish state.

"We will ...[text shortened]... g to re-take control over the entire WB may actually force Israel to negotiate more seriously.

Originally posted by shavixmir
You do know that Dr. Nabil Kukali has connections to the Israel project?

And that every survey conducted by the Israel project (and by Nabil Kukali in this respect) coincides with what the Israeli government want.

The polling Nabil Kukali uses sets out a series of questions upon which the questioned can give a priority. The results come out as such: ...[text shortened]... lestinian State.

However, the PCPO (and the Israel project) conclude other things altogether.

Originally posted by sh76
(though the religious nuts have more control over the Palestinian side of the equation).

Originally posted by sh76
official PA demands, including a UN declaration that east Jerusalem must be the capital of a new Palestinian state, actually go against the wishes of much of the city's Palestinian population. As a result, the United States and other governments are on very firm ground in opposing these demands, even from a democratic Palestinian standpoint.

Originally posted by shavixmir
There is nothing you write, absolutely nothing, that I can agree with.

Originally posted by FMF
Surely east Jerusalem being the capital of the future Palestinian state is an issue for all Palestinians and not one to be decided by Arab Israelis living in that part of the city? I take it you agree with me sh76? Is this article seriously suggesting that a survey of 500 Israelis creates "very firm ground in opposing" east Jerusalem as the Palestine capital and this claim is made from a "democratic standpoint"?

Originally posted by sh76
I do agree with you. East Jerusalem should be the capital of the new Palestinian state even if the Arabs in East Jerusalem don't like that idea (in any case, the ones who did choose to accept Israeli citizenship as they were all offered may freely move elsewhere in Israel if they choose).

But the survey does belie the oft repeated canard that Israel treats its Arab citizens so poorly. That was the main purpose of my OP.

I AM A BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN AND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS EXACTLY WHAT P W BOTHA SAID... TO QUOTE HIM HE SAID 'BLACKS WOULD PREFER TO LIVE IN APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA THAN IN THEIR OWN HOMELAND' PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THIS 1 .. THE 'WHITE AREAS WERE BETTER 2 .. UNTILL SOMEONE REALLY HAS AN OPTION YOU CANT TELL WHAT THEY REALLY WANT.. ie THE PALESTINIANS DONT HAVE THE CHOICE EITHER THROUGH A VOTE OR REFERENDUM AND ISRAEL IS BETTER DEVELOPED