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The Struggle for Palestinian Hearts and Minds: Violence and Public Opinion in the Second Intifada

Author

Listed:
  • David A. Jaeger

    (Department of Economics, College of William and Mary)

  • Esteban F. Klor

    (Hebrew University and CEPR)

  • Sami H. Miaari

    (Hebrew University)

  • M. Daniele Paserman

    (Boston University, Hebrew University, NBER, CEPR and IZA)

Abstract
This paper examines how violence in the Second Intifada influences Palestinian public opinion. Using micro data from a series of opinion polls linked to data on fatalities, we find that Israeli violence against Palestinians leads them to support more radical factions and more radical attitudes towards the conflict. This effect is temporary, however, and vanishes completely within 90 days. We also find some evidence that Palestinian fatalities lead to the polarization of the population and to increased disaffection and a lack of support for any faction. Geographically proximate Palestinian fatalities have a larger effect than those that are distant, while Palestinian fatalities in targeted killings have a smaller effect relative to other fatalities. Although overall Israeli fatalities do not seem to affect Palestinian public opinion, when we divide those fatalities by the different factions claiming responsibility for them, we find some evidence that increased Israeli fatalities are effective in increasing support for the faction that claimed them.

Suggested Citation

  • David A. Jaeger & Esteban F. Klor & Sami H. Miaari & M. Daniele Paserman, 2008. "The Struggle for Palestinian Hearts and Minds: Violence and Public Opinion in the Second Intifada," Working Papers 72, Department of Economics, College of William and Mary.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwm:wpaper:72
    as

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    File URL: http://economics.wm.edu/wp/cwm_wp72.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Israeli-Palestinian conflict; fatalities; public opinion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War

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