Hamas’s popularity is falling, but Khalil al-Hayya remains more popular than PA’s Abbas - poll
Support for Hamas continues to decline in the West Bank (33%) and Gaza (18%). Palestinians show little trust in the Board of Peace, while 32% prefer NCAG to retain governing responsibility.
A recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research reveals a decline in Hamas's popularity among Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas, remains more popular than Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
The survey of 1,270 Palestinians, conducted between August 5 and 8, found Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti as the most popular candidate for Palestinian leadership, with 54% of likely voters preferring him in a hypothetical presidential election. Al-Hayya received 26% of the votes, while Abbas garnered only 14%.
Satisfaction with Abbas's performance as president stands at 20%, a slight decrease from 23% ten months ago. Meanwhile, 76% of Palestinians expressed dissatisfaction. In the Gaza Strip, 26% approved of Abbas's performance, compared to 16% in the West Bank.
An overwhelming majority of Palestinians, 82% in the West Bank and 74% in the Gaza Strip, want Abbas to resign. High levels of corruption within PA institutions and a view of the PA as a burden for Palestinians were also reported by 83% and 65% of respondents, respectively.
While 40% of respondents said they would not participate in the presidential elections, high turnout could occur if factions from the 2006 vote participate. In such an event, Fatah would receive 32% of the votes, followed by Hamas at 29%. However, if legislative elections were held with all electoral lists that participated in the 2006 elections, turnout would be 66%.
Despite more than a quarter of respondents maintaining their support for Hamas, the poll showed a significant decline in support. Ten months ago, 44% of respondents overall said they would vote for Hamas, with 49% in Gaza supporting the group. Now, only 18% in the West Bank and 33% in Gaza support Hamas.
The poll indicates a trend of declining support for Hamas. Ten months ago, 35% of respondents supported Hamas, with 41% in Gaza backing the group. Currently, 33% in Gaza and 18% in the West Bank support the organization.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
