Dr. Gadi Hitman, Head of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at Ariel University, Dr. Eyal Levin, and Yigal Shiri, a doctoral student in the department, conducted a study involving in-depth interviews with 90 Palestinians residing in Judea and Samaria to examine the relationship between political belief and willingness for self-sacrifice.
Most respondents supported armed and violent struggle against the State of Israel. However, despite many's tendency to identify with the armed struggle against Israeli rule, they did not hasten to join this struggle.
70 percent of respondents expressed concern that the PA would face an internal armed conflict between different factions, with an emphasis on Hamas and Fatah. 71 percent expressed dissatisfaction with the Authority's performance, and 74 percent wanted the President of the PA Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to resign.
The researchers note that the interviews show that many Palestinians express support for armed struggle and understand both the personal and collective implications involved in such a struggle. However, most do not hasten to actually join terrorist activities due to the personal risk to themselves and their families.
"I no longer believe in this way"
"A few years ago, I went out with friends to throw stones at a military tower and was arrested. I was imprisoned for a few months. What did I gain? Nothing. No one cared about me and my family. I no longer believe in this way," said Amir (30), a resident of Nablus. Amin (47), also from Nablus, noted that terror is fueled by young people. "They are the new heroes of TikTok. They're not freedom fighters. The adults, responsible for their families, want to live, work, and earn a living."
"Most of our residents oppose military activity in our area," said Mahmoud (41) from the village of Jalazone. "We live near a Jewish settlement. A few days ago, there was a shooting toward the settlement. The Israeli army closed the entrance to our village, and many could not go to work. After the incident, everyone cursed the shooters. From our perspective, every act of terror in the area only harms us."
Abdullah (35), who lives in a village near Tulkarm, noted, "I support armed struggle, but let it be somewhere that doesn't affect us. Whoever wants to liberate Palestine can do so, but not here."
No desire for national reconciliation
The Palestinians' statements demonstrate that the intensive activities of the IDF and the Civil Administration in demolishing the homes of terrorists and illegally constructed buildings are indeed proving effective on the ground. Many of the responders stated that the heavy toll they would pay prevents them from carrying out attacks. However, some justified such actions. Muaz (35) recounted that his brother was a terrorist who murdered an Israeli. "The Israeli army demolished our home, but Israel is mistaken if it thinks this will prevent the struggle from continuing."
The study also shows that Palestinians are not interested in national reconciliation and are much more concerned about their situation. "I don't care whether Hamas or Fatah lead, they're all the same," said Amir. Muhammad (19) said, "I'm not interested, let me live my life, and that's it." Naif (48) from Nablus argued, "There is no solution to the conflict between Hamas and Fatah. The people want Hamas, and the people will get Hamas. It's only a matter of time." Walid (45) from Qalqilya claimed, "In Gaza, they hate Hamas, and in the West Bank, they hate the PA. Over time, everyone will understand that Hamas are thieves and liars like everyone else."
