Contradictions and skepticism: How Egyptian students view the peace process

Abstract

This study reports the results of a survey conducted in January, 1980, at Cairo University where 131 seniors in political science expressed some salient attitudes towards the peace process. Israel was perceived by about one‐fourth of the sample as an enemy who is not taking serious positive steps to resolve the Arab‐Israeli conflict, especially the issue of Palestinian autonomy. Yet, almost as many respondents indicated a desire to visit Israel as a refusal to do so on the grounds Israel was an enemy. The treaty between Egypt and Israel was perceived as a message to the United States that Egypt seeks greater cooperation with it. Attitudes towards Arabism and Arab governments were mixed. The majority favored Arabism and felt positively about Arab capabilities vis a vis Israel. However, Arab governments were negatively perceived. Favorable attitudes towards the US were disclosed; they were linked to its role in the resolution of the Arab‐Israeli conflict. By contrast, strongly unfavorable attitudes towards ...