(Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank support an end to the current violent uprising, according to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO). 56.8 per cent of respondents back the call made by Palestinian Authority presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas to put an end to the militarization of the intifada.

The current Palestinian uprising, known as the second intifada, began in 2000 following the failure by Israel and the Palestinian Authority to reach a peace agreement. The primary mode of the Palestinian terrorist attacks is the deployment of suicide bombers onto public buses or into restaurants. Israel typically retaliates with military strikes against confirmed and suspected terrorist targets. More than 4,000 Palestinians and Israelis have died in the last 36 months of fighting.

On Dec. 15, Abbas said he is personally "against the militarization of the intifada because we want to negotiate. The atmosphere should be calm in preparation for political action." Radical groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad rejected the proposal.

Abbas is the frontrunner in the Palestinian Authority's presidential election. The ballot was scheduled for Jan. 9, 2005, after the death of Yasser Arafat on Nov. 11. Former parliamentary speaker Rawhi Fattuh is the Palestinian Authority's interim president.

Polling Data

Do you support of oppose the call made by Mahmoud Abbas to put an end to the militarization of the intifada?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.