Results of Opinion Poll about the Political Reflection of the Oslo Process on Palestinian Refugees

Conducted by the PA Committee for Information Service in summer 1999 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (total number of questionnaires: 1080; 560-West Bank, 520-Gaza; refugee participation: 44.6% in the West Bank, 89.9% in Gaza)

Do you consider that the international community has a comprehensive and clear plan for the solution of the Palestinian refugee question?

Yes          17.7%
No            82.3%

In your opinion, what was the reason for the postponement of the refugee question to the final status negotiations?

Complexity and Sensitivity                   19.6%
Israeli deal to terminate the issue          60.6%
Specific circumstances of the negotiations
At that time (Oslo negotiations) did not give
Priority to refugee issue                        15.5%
Other                                                    4.3%

Do you expect a solution of the refugee question through the final status negotiations?

Yes               30.4%
No                 69.6%

Do you think that the peace process will lead to a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian refugee question?

Yes              15.0%
No                85.0%

What do you think will be the negotiated solution for the refugee question? (choose one option):

Return to the land of 1948          24.9%
Remain in camps                      12.7%
Compensation                           46.7%
Resettlement                            13.2%
Other                                         2.5%

Do you think that UNRWA services to the camps after the Oslo Agreement

Decreased           89.0%
Improved              11.0%
(If your answer is "improved", please move on to question 7)

What do you consider the main reason for the decrease of UNRWA services?

Shortage of international support of UNRWA              16.1%
Preparation of transfer of UNRWA tasks to PNA         20.8%
Political reasons (beginning of international withdrawal
From the refugee issue)                                            61.3%
Others                                                                      1.8%

Do you support a declaration of the Palestinian State prior to the solution of the refugee question?

Yes               42.8%
No                 57.2%

Do you support the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in exchange for sacrificing the right of return?

Yes                9.2%
No                90.8%

If you were a refugee, would you support the right to:

Compensation                           24.1%
Return                                      72.5%
Acceptance of the status quo       3.4%

If compensation was agreed upon as the final solution, would you:

Accept it with conviction              10.7%
Accept it without conviction          32.8%
Try to make it fail                         51.4%
Others                                          5.1%

Prior to the final status negotiations, what is your demand to the Palestinian leadership in order to guarantee a just and lasting solution to the refugee issue (choose one option):

Cling to the international resolutions                  29.7%
Obtain partnership of the Arab states in the
Negotiations on the refugee question                   7.1%
Get refugee opinion on proposed solution           33.5%
Mobilize widely and strongly on the international
Level to form a lobby of pressure on Israel          23.9%
Other                                                                5.8%