Most Palestinians appear to hope for something other than a two-state solution.

 

As reported elsewhere on the internet, a Norwegian organization, the Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies conducted an opinion poll in the West Bank and Gaza in late February and early March 2009.  The poll is online at http://www.fafo.no/indexenglish.htm

 

Among the findings:  ( parenthetical comments are mine. -- Mark)

 

35% of respondents [ Total n= 3,232] "hope"  for a Two-state solution. (Advocated by 47% of Fatah respondents; 21% of Hamas respondents.)    (no information available from respondents about whether Israel, as part of a 2-state settlement, would be expected to absorb Palestinian 'refugees' or whether Palestine would permit Jewish residents.)

 

33% hope for the establishment of One Islamic state  (i.e., governed by Islamic law.   Advocated by 58% of Hamas respondents; 17% of Fatah respondents.)

 

20% hope for the establishment of One state with equal rights for all   (In other words, the absorption of Israel into a Greater Palestine and the nullification of Israel as a Jewish state.  Advocated by 22% of Fatah respondents; 12% of Hamas respondents, a majority of whom would prefer a Islamic state. )

 

  3%  hope for a Three-state solution

 

  9%  "Don't know"  what to hope for.  ( A response by 14% of the 35-44 age bracket) 

 

[Table 1.23  Hopes for a future political solution of the conflict with Israel. p. 25]