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The present study explored Pakistani Muslims' attitudes about Jews and Israel in terms of their cognitive, affective and behavioural components. It was hypothesized that Jews would be stereotyped significantly more on negative than positive traits. A heterogeneous sample of 100 participants was attained. Percentage Estimation Task, Range Task and descriptive statistics revealed higher level of stereo-typicality on negative traits and higher level of perceived group variability on positive traits, thus supporting the hypothesis. Ratings on feeling thermometer indicated that participants have detached feelings towards the subgroup of Jews termed by them as 'Bad Jews' and 'Extremist Jews'. Social distance technique indicated higher level of hatred in participants regarding Israel as compared to other nationalities. Channels of out-group familiarity revealed the role of newspapers and news channels as the major one in forming their attitudes about Israel and Jews. The results carry important implications regarding current social and political scenario.
Keywords: Pakistani Muslims, attitude, Jews, perception
There are widespread speculations about Pakistani Muslims' perceptions about Jews and Israel. Most of them are quite negative, but little systematic effort has been done to know about the nature, extent and patterns of these perceptions. Also, much has been investigated about anti-Muslim attitudes and perceptions in the West but research on vice versa is still needed.
The present study has tried to explore Pakistani Muslims' attitudes both about Jews and their homeland Israel as the two entities are quite intertwined with each other. The modern state of Israel has its historical and religious roots in the Biblical Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), a concept central to Judaism since ancient times, and the heartland of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Following the birth of political Zionism in 1897 and the Balfour Declaration, the League of Nations granted the United Kingdom the British Mandate of Palestine after World War I, with responsibility for establishing a "Jewish national home." Thus, attitudes about Israel have much to do with Muslims' attitudes about Jews as a nation, as Jewish national and religious identity are almost the same; Israel is the only country having Jewish majority and defines herself as a Jewish state. Also, the establishment of a Jewish state in the Arab Muslim world is a factor that has led...