Young Palestinians seek violence, indifferent to 'occupation'

Young Palestinians seek violence, indifferent to 'occupation'

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 | Ryan Jones

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A poll conducted among young Palestinians aged 18-30 recently had some surprising and unsurprising results that can be seen as the outcome of both reality on the ground and the libelous education to which Palestinian children are subjected.

Despite constant attempts by Israel's critics to paint the "occupation" as the defining element in the lives of most Palestinian Arabs, a mere 5.8 percent of respondents said the presence of Jewish civilians and the Israeli army in Judea and Samaria is of greatest concern to them.

The majority (55.8%) of young Palestinians were far more concerned with finding a job and paying for their education, which they apparently did not attribute as problems stemming from the "occupation."

At the same time, the effects of the rabidly anti-Israel Palestinian school curriculum could also be seen in the poll, with 49.5 percent of young Palestinians saying that if they ever wanted an independent Palestinian state, more violence would need to be employed against the Jews.

Nearly 57 percent said that if a new terrorist uprising, or intifada, were to erupt, they would participate.

The survey was conducted by Arab World for Research & Development (AWRAD) with offices in Ramallah and Gaza.