Source: Moqavemat.ir, 23-11-2006
The Beirut Center for Research and Information conducted a survey between August 18-20 on Hizbullah`s performance in the recent war with "Israel" to gauge public opinion regarding the resistance`s role, both independently and in relation to the Lebanese Army after its deployment in the South. Questions also focused on the role of an expanded UNIFIL and the nature of relations with "Israel". The survey queried 800 Lebanese citizens from the country`s four major confessions.
According to Abdo Saad, president of the Beirut Center for Research and Information, the survey results indicated the following:
The first question showed that the taste for victory among the majority of Lebanese confessions was stronger than horror of death and destruction caused by the "Israeli" war machine.
We believe this feeling is due to the military performance of the resistance on the battlefield, to the support and interaction of the Arab and Islamic streets with the resistance during its confrontation with the "Israeli" aggression, and to an acknowledgment by "Israeli" political forces and the media that the "Israeli" Army`s performance was poor on the battlefield.
This spirit of victory affected the question regarding the importance of support for the resistance to the Lebanese Army. The question recorded a high percentage of support that almost reached 78 percent. The results are mainly due to the high performance and courage of the resistance and recognition of this by the occupying forces, and the political stand of the resistance leadership which insisted on the unity of the governmental and popular stand.
This unity showed in Hizbullah`s approval of the government`s seven-point plan and decision to deploy the Lebanese Army in all border areas in Southern Lebanon.
The third question recorded the highest percentage (85 percent) of agreement between the Lebanese over the fact that "Israel`s" war against Lebanon was the result of a plan regardless of Hizbullah`s capture of the two "Israeli" soldiers.
As to question four, it seems that the majority of the Lebanese do not trust the role international forces could play on Lebanese territories as a deterrence force against a possible further "Israeli" aggression against Lebanon. We believe this is due to Lebanon`s experience in 1978 with repeated "Israeli" attacks in light of the international forces` neglect to assume their military or political tasks by stirring the Security Council.
The answers to question five showed that the overwhelming majority of Lebanese from all confessions agreed it was impossible to establish peace with "Israel". The reasons here are obvious; a large portion of the Sunni and Shiite Muslims had already expressed full support for the Hamas Movement`s refusal to recognize "Israel" because of its aggressive nature (cf. The Beirut Center for Research and Information survey published in the pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper April 3, 2006).
It is noticeable that most of those who answered `yes` to questions one and two believe peace with "Israel" is impossible.
It is worth noting the discrepancies between men and women in replies since the survey showed that women were less positive than men about the resistance. Seventy eight percent of men believed the resistance won, whereas 66 percent of women did not.
While 81 percent of the men stressed the importance of the resistance`s support to the Lebanese Army, 76 percent of the women did not. Furthermore, 54 percent of women answered `no` to the question regarding the international forces` capacity to deter any "Israeli" aggression, whereas 73 percent of men said `yes.`
The survey also showed that about 30 percent of women said it was possible to have peace with "Israel", whereas only 20 percent of men did.
We finally highlight that the survey showed that the age range of younger men was more enthusiastic and sensitive to the victory of the resistance compared to the age range of the older men.