RAMALLAH, September 20, 2011 (WAFA) – A Palestinian public opinion poll on Monday showed that 83% of Palestinians support going to the United Nations Security Council to obtain recognition of Palestine as a state, according to the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR).

The poll said that 74% believe that there is no point in returning to negotiations with Israel without acceptable terms of reference or without freezing settlement construction, and that President Abbas is thus right in seeking UN involvement.

In response to the Palestinian decision to go to the UN, an overwhelming majority of 78% expects Israel to suspend transfer of custom funds to the Palestinian Authority or to suspend the transfer and take additional measures to make occupation harsher, by putting up more checkpoints and expanding settlement construction.

Similarly, 64% expect the US to respond to the UN drive by suspending its financial contribution to the PA or by suspending the contribution and imposing political restrictions, the poll showed.

On the other hand, 77% expect the US to use its veto power at the UNSC to prevent admission of Palestine to the UN, but 58% believe that most European countries will recognize the new State of Palestine.

Of those polled, 50% expect Palestine to become a UN member state this September and 43% do not.

After the UN recognition of Palestine as a state, 75% (76% in the West Bank and 71% in the Gaza Strip) want the PA to exercise sovereignty throughout the entire West Bank, even if such a measure leads to a confrontation between the PA and the Israeli army and settlers.

Similarly, 73% (71% in the West Bank and 77% in the Gaza Strip) want the PA to assert Palestinian sovereignty over the Allenby crossing with Jordan, even if such a step leads to closure of the crossing.

Only 35% support a return to an armed intifada and 64% oppose it.

By contrast, 61% support resort to popular, unarmed and non-violent resistance and 54% say they will participate in peaceful demonstrations seeking to breach checkpoints and block roads used by the Israeli army and settlers after the UN recognition of the State of Palestine.

M.H./F.J.