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Alice in Wonderland's Middle East
(Jerusalem Post) Barry Rubin - Most of the world believes the Palestinians are fighting only because they want an end to Israel's presence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as well as a state of their own. Were this true, the conflict would have ended long ago, certainly in the year 2000. According to surveys taken by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, whose head is a minister in Arafat's cabinet, 45% of Palestinians believe that the intifada's goal is to wipe Israel off the map; 65% favor continued violence against all Israeli targets. A poll by Bir-Zeit University's Development Studies Program shows that 54% doubt a Palestinian state could coexist with Israel even if there was a comprehensive peace treaty; 61% advocate continued armed struggle even if Israel pulls out of all Gaza. Palestinians continue to be told by their leaders, preachers, activists, and media that all-out struggle is necessary and total victory is both possible and the only proper patriotic and Muslim policy.