News

More
than half of all Egyptians would like to see the 1979 peace treaty with
Israel annulled, according to results of a poll conducted by the
U.S.-based Pew Research Center released Monday.

According to the
poll results, only 36 percent of Egyptians are in favor of maintaining
the treaty, compared with 54 percent who would like to see it scrapped.

The
poll highlights the deep unpopularity of the three-decade-old treaty,
which was scrupulously adhered to by former President Hosni Mubarak, who
was ousted February 11.

The poll, based on interviews with
1,000 Egyptians around the country, was conducted between March 24 and
April 7 as part of the Spring 2011 Pew Global. Attitudes survey that was
conducted in 22 countries. The poll has a sampling error of plus or
minus 4 percentage points.

Opinions varied according to income,
with 60 percent of lower income Egyptians supporting the treaty's
cancellation while only 45 percent of the wealthier classes thinking it
should be done away with.

Only 40 percent of Egyptians with a college education thought the treaty should be scrapped, as well.

The
poll also revealed that most Egyptians are optimistic about where the
country is headed following the 18-day popular uprising, and they look
forward to greater democracy in their country.