Palestinians in the diaspora: attitudes of a displaced minority

This study investigates the effect of the homeland experience on political attitudes held by a group of displaced stateless people. Empirical data was obtained by means of an attitude survey carried out within the Palestinian community of Sydney, Australia in 1990-91. The "snowball" method of sampling was used, in order to obtain access to a cross-section of groups within the community by means of activating personal networks. Attitudes towards both the host country - Australia - and towards the Palestinian homeland were surveyed. The findings suggest that homeland factors are more likely to affect the attitudes of Palestinian groups than are standard socio-demographic factors. The findings also challenge some of the conventional justifications for the discrimination and stereotyping encountered by Palestinians in both the homeland and in the Western Diaspora. The results of the survey have implications both for current moves towards an independent Palestinian entity in the Middle East, and for the successful integration of Palestinians and other stateless groups into pluralist democracies.