Introduction:

AWRAD has recently completed an “Opinion Poll among Palestinian Youth.” In the course of this survey, AWRAD surveyed 1,200 Palestinian youth (18-30 years old) in the West Bank and Gaza, similar to a survey completed in January 2012. The results provide illustrative data on the attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of Palestinian youth, and provide contrasts with AWRAD’s January 2012 survey. This current press release is one in a series to follow that will individually highlight important results on the following issues: political and social activism, the Arab Spring and its implications on Palestine, evaluation of leaders and political groups, and policy and programmatic priorities. The focus of this survey is primarily on youth attitudes towards the peace process and negotiations.

The results of the present poll show disillusionment among youth especially in the West Bank concerning the peace process. It is important to note that these youth were 10 years old or younger when the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993. The most significant results are listed below:

I. The Peace Process:

• Low levels of hope for the peace process: Only 25 percent of youth reported having more hope for the peace process now compared to one year ago. In contrast, 38 percent have less hope and 36 percent have the same level of hope as they had a year ago.
• Division over a two-state solution: 45 percent of youth reported supporting a two-state solution that included East Jerusalem. In contrast, 52 percent said that they oppose.
• Decline in support for a two-state solution among West Bank youth: There is an overall 7-point decline in support from 52 percent support during January 2012. The significant decline is attributable to West Bank youth, where 47 percent support a two-state solution now, compared to 57 percent in early 2012. There was no significant change in Gaza, with 41 percent supporting and 56 percent opposing.
• Views of Youth similar to general population: The above-listed results are consistent with the most recent national sample. In AWRAD’s July 2013 national survey, 47 percent of respondents supported a two-state solution, while 50 percent opposed it.

II. Negotiations:

• Division among youth on negotiations: Youth are divided on the issue of negotiations, with46 percent supporting and 48 percent opposing an immediate return to negotiations. In our January 2012 poll, an additional 37 percent supported a return to negotiations but only under preconditions including a freeze on settlements’ activities.
• Support for negotiations is higher among the general public: These results indicate that youth are less likely than the general public as found in our most recent national sample to support a return to negotiations. In AWRAD’s most recent national poll, 51 percent of respondents stated they would support a return to negotiations, compared to 47 percent of youth.
• Support for a return to negotiations among Gaza youth is slightly higher than West Bank youth (48 percent to 45 percent).
• Peaceful methods to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict receive high support: 62 percent of young people chose peaceful methods to end the occupation. 25 percent chose direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine; 20 percent a non-violent popular uprising; and 17 percent an international conference imposing a solution on both parties. In contrast, 31 percent chose armed/militant confrontations as the best means to end the occupation.

III. Other explanatory indicators:

The above results are complementary with the general attitude that pervades Palestinian youth.

• In AWRAD’s present poll, the majority of youth respondents (54 percent) believe that Palestine is heading in the wrong direction. This is compared to 39 percent who believe it is heading in the right direction.
• Nevertheless, the poll continues to show optimism about the future, with 56 percent of the youth saying that they are optimistic and 40 percent pessimistic.
• Support for President Abbas remains high among youth as 65 percent reported they would support decisions made by the President to achieve a Palestinian state. Support was higher in the West Bank (68 percent) than Gaza (60 percent).
• This support for President Abbas is also recorded in the choices of youth in hypothetical elections. When asked to choose between Abbas and Haniyeh, 45 percent selected Abbas while 23 percent selected Haniyeh.
• 31 percent of youth polled believed that President Abbas’ UN initiative had advanced the Palestinian cause, while 23 percent of youth believed that the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2012 had, as well.
• In the present survey, Fatah’s approach to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was more popular among youth (31 percent) than the Hamas approach (20 percent). However, 44 percent of respondents reported that neither of the two was preferred.

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