November 8th, 2012, YouGov
On the 29th November 2012, the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade the status of Palestine from a non-member observer ‘entity’ with no voting rights to a non-member observer ‘state’ by a vote of 138 to 9, with 41 abstentions. The United States, Canada and Israel were among the countries that voted against the proposal. The new status allows Palestine to join several other UN agencies and international bodies including the International Criminal Court (ICC). The announcement has received a mixed response from the international community. We asked Lab participants what they thought of the status change.
Here’s what we found...
Over three quarters of respondents were aware of the status change with the majority supporting the move by the UN General Assembly to upgrade the status of Palestine to a “non-member observer state”.
Nearly half of our lab participants believe that the move by the UN is a very important step for Palestine and a further third said that the move is somewhat important.
The majority believe that the move is largely symbolic but may have some impact on the situation in Palestine. However, almost a quarter of respondents said that it is a very significant move which will have a significant impact on the situation.
Our Lab participants’ thoughts and comments are outlined below:
Participants who support the move made by the UN General Assembly to upgrade the status of Palestine to a “non-member observer state”?
“Even the people of Palestinian have international political rights” Anon
“It gives Palestine the possibility of imposing some decisions” Anon
“A very good step because it puts Palestine on the map in front of the Western World” Anon
“The Palestinian people have suffered from marginalization for a long time and this is a step of greater eligibility” Anon
“Palestine must regain its activity gradually with the help of Arab and other foreign countries” Anon
Participants who DO NOT support the move made by the UN General Assembly to upgrade the status of Palestine to a “non-member observer state”?
“Because it will have no/any impact” Anon
“Because it's not worth it for its inability to control of the Palestinian factions” Anon
“It will remain occupied” Anon
“Because it will not be able to take full freedom” Anon