Poll: East J'lem residents prefer Israeli citizenship

[oberliner]

A recent survey conducted by Pechter Middle East Polls, in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations, ahead of the possible Palestinian bid for statehood in September, revealed that given a choice, the majority of east Jerusalem residents would prefer to remain Israelis.

The survey sampled 1,039 Palestinians living in all 19 neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, and was supervised by Dr. David Pollock.

Perhaps the most striking finding regarded the residents' citizenship preference, after a two-state solution is reached: When asked if they preferred to become citizens of Palestine or remain citizens of Israel, only 30% chose Palestinian citizenship.

Thirty five percent chose Israeli citizenship and 35% declined to answer or said they didn’t know.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4064783,00.html

Makes you think, doesn't it?

[aquart]

1. Second class citizenship in a civilized European style society vs.....

A great chance to be killed for the wrong political opinion? Yeah. Tough choice.

[Purveyor]

2. Indeed! +1 eom

[shira]

3. 2nd class citizenship in European capitals banning burkas and minarets are more preferable...

...to life in any mideast country outside of Israel.

[Igel]

4. That certainly complicates matters.

I mean, if they went 90% for Israeli citizenship and 10% for Palestinian it would be obvious that they should be compelled to take Palestinian citizenship.

Hard to screw over a clear majority when it's divided 30-35-35.

Although perhaps by declaring a state, having competing annexations, and then several months of urban warfare and shelling in East Jerusalem would do the trick adequately.

[oberliner]

5. Would the option be available?

If E Jerusalem is declared to be part of Palestine, what happens to the residents at that point?

[shira]

6. The 70% of EJ Arabs who aren't interested in being Palestinian citizens will get screwed...

...if the city is ever divided.

[shira]

7. EJ Palestinians prefer being under occupation than being handed over to PA control

http://spme.net/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?ID=3044

Narrative killer.

[azurnoir]

8. Earlier thread about this same poll from January must be a popular topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=341662


link to the poll itself, which was done for the US council on Foreign Relations

http://pechterpolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/PMEP-E-Jerusalem-Highlights-with-Exec-Summary-Jan11-828pm-Eastern-DB-2.pdf

[oberliner]

9. Thanks for the kick!

Makes you think doesn't it?

Especially now with the Palestinian unilateral statehood declaration looming in the not so distant future - someone ought to consider the desires of those currently living in East Jerusalem.

Hopefully drawing attention to the results of this poll will at least get the discussion rolling again.

[azurnoir]

10. yep 35% of 1000 blue card holders(permanent Israeli residence)

want to be Israeli citizens while 65% either don't know or don't want it, food for thought indeed

[oberliner]

11. So what should happen to them if E. Jerusalem is declared part of Palestine?

Should they be given the option? How would that play out logistically? Would they have to move?

[azurnoir]

12. IMO they should be given a choice however

in reality they most likely not have any choice in the matter, if the city were to to be physically divided there will most likely be a population shuffle of sorts on both sides, however if it is a political sharing with no barricades then IMO people could stay where they are, it all depends on how this plays out, doesn't it?

[oberliner]

13. This is one reason why a unilateral statehood declaration might not be the best move

It seems like that would complicate matters such as this one.

Why not work it out with Israel in advance, if at all possible?