In a recent study by the Pew Research Center, it was found that 76% of Palestinians view America as more of an enemy than a partner. The high percentage topped those of Pakistan (64%), Turkey (49%), and Lebanon (46%). In a study from 2010, it was found that Palestinians don’t think that a two-state solution is a likely solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, with 61% of Palestinians saying that “Israel and an independent Palestinian State” could not exist peacefully. The study also showed that many Palestinians (45%) believe that the way to achieve statehood is through armed struggle. In contrast, only 15% think that independent statehood can be achieved through negotiations, and another 15% think it can be achieved through nonviolent resistance.
The negative views of Palestinians towards America can be explained by Palestinian incitement, much like the Palestinian TV shows that portray Jews as “apes and pigs,” and books such as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which, according to the US Holocaust Museum website, is taught throughout the Arab world as fact and is used by Hamas to justify terrorism against Israeli civilians. In addition, the Protocols are used in the Arab world as a basis for some TV shows, such as a mini-series in Egypt in 2002.
The fact that 45% of Palestinians think that violence is the way to gain independence is unacceptable. The fact that Abbas and the Palestinian Authority leadership praise terrorists as “heroic martyrs” and place wreaths at their graves is unacceptable. Palestinians, living under a Palestinian government where there is no free press, see their leaders having negotiations constantly with Israelis with nothing coming of it, and then see that when Israeli soldiers are kidnapped, Arab prisoners are released. Looking at these facts, it could appear that violence is more helpful. Palestinians are more likely to have a favorable view of America and Israel if the state-controlled media of the Palestinian Authority either becomes free or the Palestinian Authority stops broadcasting anti-Israel and anti-American propaganda.
Read Spoon Feeding to learn more about Palestinian television.
Contributed by CAMERA intern Eli Cohn.