Palestinians say US and EU aid suspension will increase violence
A survey shows the conviction among Palestinians that Israel's decision to suspend ties with Hamas will only boost the Islamic party. The economic situation is expected to worsen.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) The suspension of Palestinian aid by Europe and the USA will aggravate violence in the region, according to a clear majority of Palestinians (59.8%). Still more are worried about their family's future (79.8%) and have urged Europe and the US to reverse their decision (73.9%). A clear majority of 58.7% think Arab countries are incapable of replacing the economic and financial aid suspended by donor countries.
These are some results of a survey published today and sent to AsiaNews conducted by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO), an independent institution that has researched Palestinian public opinion since 1994. It is run by Nabil Kukali, a Christian and professor at Hebron University in Cisjordan.
If on the one hand, nearly 60% of respondents said aid suspension would increase violence, only 20.8% felt the decision not to support the Hamas government would act as a "disincentive". Another 19.1% felt the decision would have "absolutely no impact". A weak majority (50.2%) of respondents believed that attitude of the Israeli government will strengthen the Hamas position, and a solid minority (47.7%) disagreed.
As for the consequences of aid suspension, negative repercussions are expected to impact on work opportunities (mentioned in first place by 30.2% of interviewees), on family income (20%), on availability of food (19%), on education (13.8%), on health services (9.3%) and on children's growth (7.3%).
Most of the respondents (62.5%) said they believed the resolutions of the United Nations imposing restrictions on dealings with the Palestinian government contradicted international norms. To the question, "what should the Palestinians do?", about the Israeli government decision to cut all ties with the Palestinian Authority, and about the move of the EU and the US to suspend aid, 46.7% replied that "a national unity government should be formed", while 17.9% called for the resignation of President Abbas, followed by new elections. Another 17.9% were in favour of "finally dissolving the Palestinian Authority".
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