Poll: Most Palestinians support terror

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A new poll shows 59 percent of Palestinians want Hamas and Islamic Jihad to continue attacks against Israel, even if Israel leaves the West Bank and Gaza.

The Jerusalem Post said the poll also indicates 80 percent of Palestinians say that, under those circumstances, the Palestinians should not give up the "right of return."

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The poll of Palestinians, Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs was released Wednesday in Washington by Itamar Marcus, founder of Palestinian Media Watch. The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Research of Israel and The Palestinian Center for Public Opinion.

The Post said the poll also showed 96 percent of Israeli Jews believe those responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were terrorists, while only 37 percent of Palestinians share that view.

And 26 percent of Palestinians believe Israel planned the Sept. 11 attacks.

Marcus told the Post he believes such opinions demonstrate a "connection between Palestinian media and education and Palestinian beliefs and opinions."

He noted during the Iraq war, Palestinian Authority-sponsored television glorified the killing of American soldiers. Marcus said that theme has continued in various media.