International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Dec. 19, 2002

The majority of Palestinians support suicide bombings while less than 20 percent oppose the bloody intifada, which began in September 2000, according to a recent poll.

Of Palestinians surveyed, 63 percent of Palestinians support the continuation of suicide bombings, an increase of two percentage points over last year, while only 17 percent oppose the current uprising.

A solid 80 percent want the bloodshed to continue, according to the poll conducted by a Palestinian organization, Jerusalem Media and Communication Center (JMCC). The organization interviewed 1,200 Palestinians.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat’s personal rating as "Most Trusted Palestinian" further slid from 28 in September to 25 percent. The second-most "trusted Palestinian" is Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, serving the Palestinian Authority a big hit in the poll along with 83 percent saying they believe the PA is riddled with corruption.

As if to confirm that poll, senior Palestinian officials warned on Wednesday that the US’s refusal to rush through the "road map" peace plan before Israeli elections would provoke more violence.

They expressed disappointment about the US decision not to present the road map to the other Quartet members, European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, at the Quartet meeting in Washington on Friday.

"We hope that President George W. Bush realizes that closing the door of hope for the Palestinians will lead to a catastrophe and create apathy and anger against the US among Palestinians and Arabs," said Bassam Abu Sharif, an Arafat. advisor.