Palestinians' support for armed struggle and Hamas drops, poll shows
Palestinian support for armed struggle has dropped sharply in less than a year, with most now in favour of negotiations to end the Israeli occupation and achieve statehood, a new opinion poll shows. The Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research conducted the survey across Gaza and the West Bank this month, after President Mahmoud Abbas announced presidential and legislative elections for…
New polling data reveals a significant shift in Palestinian sentiment regarding armed struggle and Hamas's effectiveness. A majority now support negotiations to end the Israeli occupation and secure statehood, with support for armed resistance declining from 41% to 27% over the past year. However, the success of armed conflict remains controversial, with equal numbers believing it has been effective and destructive.
Public confidence in Hamas has plummeted, with only 28% now expressing trust in the group's ability to represent Palestinians, compared to 41% in October. This decline in support is mirrored in the Palestinian leadership, with President Mahmoud Abbas receiving only 18% approval, down from 21% last year. An overwhelming 80% of respondents desire Abbas to resign.
The most popular choice for Abbas's successor among Palestinians is imprisoned activist Marwan Barghouti, who garnered 39% support. Despite his long imprisonment, Barghouti maintains a strong following. The survey also indicates that a significant portion of Palestinians remain skeptical about the upcoming parliamentary elections, with concerns about the vote's fairness and whether it will be conducted as scheduled.
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