Citation

Salmi RH. Stud. Conflict Terrorism 1996; 19(1): 43-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10576109608435995

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The international community of nations sighed a breath of relief when reports of an impending Palestinian‐Israeli peace agreement, outlined in the Declaration of Principles, was signed in 1993. Yasser Arafat's then waning popularity soared as Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank celebrated in the streets. Rising expectations keyed to freedom from Israeli military occupation and opportunities to work themselves free from their grinding poverty underscored the overwhelmingly positive Palestinian response to the Declaration of Principles. Now, eighteen months later, much of what was envisioned has not materialized. Media reporting often focuses on the extremes and volatility associated with Palestinian public opinion--for example, the celebratory mood of 1993 versus the Intifada of 1987--but few reliable data have been made available that attempt to assess the public mood in 1995. The Jerusalem Media and Communications Center poll not only provides data on public support for the various political forces in the Occupied Territories, but also offers an important window into the political consciousness of the Palestinian people.

Language: en