Assessing Arab Public Opinion Toward the Palestinian Issue

Abstract

This paper seeks to present trends in Arab public opinion toward the Palestinian issue through AOI data published by the ACRPS. It focuses on the question of whether Palestine is an Arab issue or simply a Palestinian issue, views on recognition of Israel and assessments of global and regional powers’ policies and positions in the region. It shows that Arab public opinion is generally inclined to see Palestine as an Arab issue, that it is almost unanimous in rejecting recognition of Israel (88% of respondents), and that respondents’ views of countries’ policy in the region is determined by their assessment of their policy on Palestine.