The always interesting Tom Gross reports on a rare poll of Saudi citizens.
The opinion of the Saudi public will not surprise anyone who has read Dore Gold's Hatred's Kingdom but it is helpful to have such a quantitative record of Saudi attitudes. Here are some highlights:
In answer to the question, "I would favor a peace treaty recognizing the State of Israel, if an independent Palestinian State is established?"
29.6% said yes
While 51.3% said they opposed any peace treaty recognizing the State of Israel.
Jews are viewed as very unfavorably by 81.7%
While Christians are viewed very unfavorably by 40.3% and somewhat unfavorably by 14.0%.
Here's more data:
Poll of Saudis: Don't like Jews and Christians, want Israel destroyed and Saudis to have nuclear weapons [Tom Gross]
Opinion polls among Saudi citizens are extremely rare. This survey was conducted for Terror Free Tomorrow by D3 Systems of Vienna, Virginia and KA Europe SPRL. Interviews were conducted by phone from a facility in a country neighboring Saudi Arabia.
The survey was conducted in Arabic, among a random national sample of 1,004 Saudi Arabian nationals aged 18 and older. Among the results:
Please tell me your opinion of each group of people. Is your opinion very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable?
Iranians
Very Favorable 23.4%
Somewhat Favorable 27.9%
Somewhat Unfavorable 15.5%
Very Unfavorable 24.0%
Refused 2.5%
Don't Know 6.7%
Jews
Very Favorable 2.1%
Somewhat Favorable 3.9%
Somewhat Unfavorable 7.0%
Very Unfavorable 81.7%
Refused 4.1%
Don't Know 1.1%
Christians
Very Favorable 13.7%
Somewhat Favorable 25.5%
Somewhat Unfavorable 14.0%
Very Unfavorable 40.3%
Refused 2.5%
Don't Know 4.1%
If all diplomatic means fail to stop the Iranian government from developing nuclear weapons, would you favor the United States and other countries accepting a nuclear-armed Iran, or would you favor the United States and other countries taking military action against Iran to try and prevent the Iranians from having nuclear weapons?
Favor US Accepting A Nuclear Armed Iran 26.6%
Favor US and Other Countries Taking Military Action to Prevent Nuclear Armed Iran 38.1%
Refused to answer 19.9%
Don't Know 15.4%
Please listen as I read the following statements and tell me which is closest to your own opinion?
I would favor a peace treaty recognizing the State of Israel, if an independent Palestinian state is established.29.6%
I oppose any peace treaty recognizing the State of Israel, and I favor all Arabs continuing to fight until there is no State of Israel in the Middle East 51.3%
Refused to answer 13.2%
Don't Know 5.9%
Do you favor or oppose the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia developing nuclear weapons?
Strongly Favor 34.7%
Somewhat Favor 17.3%
Somewhat Oppose 12.1%
Strongly Oppose 19.1%
Refused to answer 9.3%
Don't Know 7.5%
What is most disconcerting about the results of this poll is that Condi Rice thinks the Saudis are partners for peace with Israel. These are the same dictators who would not shake hands with Israelis at the Annapolis Conference.
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