A large majority of Arabs are prepared to make peace with Israel if the Jewish state hands over to the Palestinians territories seized in the 1967 war, including East Jerusalem, a new study suggests.
The survey of 4,087 Arabs in six countries revealed that 73 per cent would be willing to end the animosity with Israel but few believed that it would give up the occupied West Bank easily.
Only 25 per cent of respondents said Arabs should continue to fight Israel no matter what, according to the annual 2009 Arab Public Opinion Survey by the University of Maryland and the polling company Zogby International.
"By and large it clearly suggests a critical mass is forming among people who are concluding that it is time for something to change with Israel," said John Zogby, president of the firm which conducted the survey in late April and early May, well after the conflict in Gaza that caused much anger in the region. "There is a growing recognition that Israel does exist and hardened attitudes are not a path to peace."
Respondents were pessimistic about the consequences of a lack of peaceful settlement. If the two-state solution collapses, 60 per cent said there would be a period of "intense conflict" for years to come.
That view has hardened since 2008 when 55 per cent of respondents believed it to be the case.
President Barack Obama enjoys high ratings - 45 per cent had a favourable view of him - but 66 per cent said they had "no confidence" in the United States.
"Overall ratings were low but better than they were before," said Mr Zogby. "This is speculation but if we did a poll after Obama's speech on Thursday, I think there would be increased comfort level with Obama."
The survey also revealed mixed attitudes towards Iran. Although 53 per cent said they believed Iran had the right to possess nuclear weapons, a small but growing number believed the Islamic republic to be a danger. The survey revealed that 13 per cent felt Iran was a threat to them, compared with seven per cent last year.
"Arab popular opinion regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions is more divided than people think," said Karim Sadjadpour, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
@Email:hghafour@thenational.ae
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Meydan race card
6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m
7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m
7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
More on Quran memorisation:
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
