The unchallenged conventional wisdom in Europe is that the key -- the indispensable prerequisite -- for solving nearly every problem in the Arab and Muslim world, and perhaps even the way to end Muslim extremism and terrorism throughout the world, lies in ending the Arab-Israeli conflict. Reality, however, is much more complicated.

A new survey of Arab -- rather than European -- opinion shows that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is nowhere near the top of the list of reasons given by Arabs for what's wrong with their countries.

The views of Arabs, obtained in a rare moment when propaganda efforts were temporarily set aside, marks a sharp contrast with views like that of Eric Bratberg of Sweden's Uppsala University, who recently wrote, ''If the U.S. is ever to form a more democratic Middle East, it first has to solve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.'' The supposedly unbreakable link has become a firmly planted figment of the European imagination and, in fact, of many on the other side of the Atlantic. If only America would do as we say, they argue, we might not have had a Sept. 11, and young Arab men would not stand caught between the lack of economic opportunities and the temptations of religious extremism. Arabs themselves disagree with this view.

No question, the bitter dispute in the heart of the Middle East has made life for Palestinians and Israelis painful and difficult. It has certainly added to the tensions in the region and given propaganda material for extremists. But the claim that the suffering of Palestinians is the principal cause of international terrorism, Islamic extremism and Arab political instability is as false now as it was on Sept. 12, 2001.

The real causes of extremism are political repression coupled with economic stagnation in much of the region. They create festering resentments and seething anger without legitimate outlets. Other than providing an excuse for these problems, the Arab-Israeli conflict has little connection with the larger troubles in the region.

In the Middle East, where anyone can criticize Israel and the United States on a street corner, but no one can criticize the government in the public square, true public opinion emerged anonymously, via satellite, as part of a survey conducted by the Arab television network Al-Arabiya. The people said that their problems come from the ruling regimes, the same governments that have received support from Europe and the United States.

When asked, ''What is stalling development in the Arab world?'' viewers responded unequivocally: Only 8 percent blamed the Arab-Israeli conflict. More than 80 percent blamed ``governments that are unwilling to implement change and reform.''

When asked what governments should do to improve economic conditions, more than 90 percent wanted better conditions for investment, education and healthcare, as well as complete freedom for the private sector. Ask Arab leaders, or their European friends the same question. They would insist that the key to all progress lies somewhere in Jerusalem.

Many regimes have used the Arab-Israeli conflict as a pretext for their unwillingness to reform. They have a perfectly simple reason for refusing to change: They want to stay in power. What is surprising is how many ''experts,'' particularly in Europe, have bought into their calculations.

The Arab-Israeli conflict must be solved. And efforts by the United States to push the process along are excellent news. But anyone who believes that solving the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians will automatically bring an end to all forms of instability, extremism and terrorism will be deeply disappointed.

Frida Ghitis, an international television journalist for 20 years, writes about world affairs. Her article was first published at the Miami Herald