Arab Public Opinion Poll Reveals Strong Support for Palestinians During Israeli War on Gaza
Doha, 10 January 2024 – The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies released the results of a public opinion poll on Wednesday 10 January 2024, which surveyed 8,000 men and women from 16 Arab countries regarding the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. The poll aimed to gauge the opinions of citizens in the Arab region on important topics related to the conflict.
The survey results showed a strong sense of solidarity among the Arab public with the people of Gaza, with 97% of respondents expressing varying degrees of psychological stress as a result of the war. The majority (84%) reported a high level of psychological stress.
Additionally, the survey found that 80% of respondents regularly followed news about the war, with 54% relying on television and 43% using the internet as their main source of information. This highlights the local significance of the conflict to the Arab public.
Regarding the motivations behind Hamas’ military operation on 7 October 2023, the poll revealed that the majority of respondents (35%) believed it was primarily due to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. 24% attributed it to the defense of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and 8% saw it as a response to the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The survey also addressed the responses of regional and international powers to the conflict, with the majority of respondents (94%) expressing a negative view of the United States’ position, followed by France (79%), the UK (78%), and Germany (75%). Opinions were divided on the positions of Iran, Turkey, Russia, and China.
In terms of media coverage, 82% of respondents believed that US media coverage of the war was biased towards Israel, while only 7% saw it as neutral.
The poll also revealed a strong rejection of recognition of Israel among the Arab public, with 89% opposing it.
Furthermore, the survey found that there was a near consensus among Palestinian respondents from the West Bank (including Jerusalem) that their safety and freedom of movement have been negatively impacted since 7 October 2023.
This survey, conducted from 12 December 2023 to 5 January 2024, is the first of its kind to gauge public opinion on the topic across the Arab region. The sample included 500 men and women from each of the 16 surveyed countries, representing 95% of the population of the Arab region.
The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies is committed to providing accurate and timely information on important issues affecting the Arab world.
