Freedom of Expression - Palestinian Style

Freedom of Expression - Palestinian Style

Mob attacks pollsters who found few Palestinians want their old homes in what is now Israel

A mob of about 100 Palestinian refugees stormed the office of a Ramallah polling organisation yesterday to stop it publishing a survey showing that five times as many refugees would prefer to settle permanently in a Palestinian state than return to their old homes in what is now Israel.

The protesters pelted Khalil Shikaki, the director of the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research, with eggs, smashed computers and assaulted the nine staff members on duty. A female worker was treated in hospital for her injuries. 'This is a message for everyone not to tamper with our rights,' one of the rioters said.