Daily Alert Archives

The Myth of a Progressive Palestine

(Algemeiner) Petra Marquardt-Bigman - The idea that the Palestinians are interested in establishing a progressive paradise is downright preposterous, since extensive opinion surveys document that extremist and fundamentalist views are mainstream in Palestinian society. As documented in a Pew survey from 2013, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were often among the Muslim populations with the most extremist views about the role of Islam in society. 89% said they wanted Sharia law; 66% endorsed the death penalty for Muslims who convert to another religion; 76% supported mutilation as a punishment for theft; and 84% wanted adulterers stoned to death. In 2007, 70% of Palestinians expressed the view that suicide bombings targeting civilians in defense of Islam could be justified. In 2011, when al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed, 34% of Palestinians still expressed "confidence" in him, and Hamas condemned the U.S. for assassinating "an Arab holy warrior."
2019-11-12 00:00:00
Full Article