RAMALLAH: A Palestinian opinion poll in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah between June 22-25 has indicated a significant decline in the popularity of the Fatah movement and its leadership.
Similarly significant reductions were reported in support for the two-state solution and one-state democratic solution, and increased support for the withdrawal of an armed intifada and recent armed attacks inside Israel.
Meanwhile, most respondents still view the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a national struggle over land and sovereignty rather than a religious one.
The election results indicate a shift in the internal balance of power in favor of Hamas and its leadership; 33 percent of respondents said they believe Hamas is more appropriate than Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, to represent and lead the Palestinian people. In comparison, 23 percent said they think Fatah is more appropriate.
Thirty-three percent say that if a new presidential election were to be held today and only two candidates, Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, stood, they would elect Abbas, while 55 percent said they would choose Haniyeh.
If the contest was between Marwan Berghouti and Haniyeh, however, Berghouti would receive 61 percent and Haniyeh 34 percent, and if President Abbas did not run for election, Berghouti was the preferred candidate, as 30 percent chose him, followed by Haniyeh. got 16 percent. , then Mohamed Dahlan with 6 percent, Yahya al-Sinwar with 4 percent, then Hussein al-Sheikh with 3 percent.
Twenty-three percent said they were satisfied with President Abbas’ performance, while 73 percent were dissatisfied, and 77 percent said they wanted the president to resign. Only 18 percent say they want him to stay in office.
Overall, 79 percent of the public said the Palestinian government does not play an influential role in addressing high prices and their effects. In comparison, 57 percent objected to President Abbas’s internal decisions, such as the transfer of powers to preside over the National Council to the General Secretariat of the Legislative Council.
In addition, 71 percent said they want to hold normal Palestinian legislative and presidential elections soon in the Palestinian territories. However, a majority of 54 percent say they do not believe elections will be held soon.
More than a quarter of the Palestinian public say they wish to emigrate because of the current political, security and economic conditions, and 86 percent believe there is corruption in the Palestinian Authority’s institutions. In comparison, 71 percent say there is corruption in Hamas-run institutions in the Gaza Strip, and 59 percent believe PA has become a burden on the Palestinian people.
Forty-two percent of the West Bank population say people can criticize PA without fear. In comparison, 54 percent say that it is not possible. In contrast, 62 percent in the Gaza Strip say it is impossible to criticize Hamas.
Meanwhile, 73 percent believe the government of Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh will not succeed in reconciling and uniting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In comparison, 21 percent think it will be successful. Twenty-three percent believe that the government will be successful in holding legislative and presidential elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In comparison, 69 percent say it will not be successful, and 75 percent expect the government to be successful in improving the economic situation.
Forty-nine percent believe that personal shootings inside Israel by Palestinians not affiliated with political movements contribute to an end to the occupation, and 50 percent believe that armed conflict is the key to an independent state. Best way to install. In comparison, 22 percent said it would be done through dialogue, and 21 percent said it would be through peaceful popular resistance.
Seventy percent believe a two-state solution is no longer possible due to settlement expansion, but 27 percent believe it is still achievable. Similarly, 77 percent say the likelihood of establishing an independent Palestinian state with Israel during the next five years is low or very low, and 19 percent say the likelihood is moderate or high.
Ninety-nine percent say that under the current circumstances, they do not support the return of the Palestinian side to talks with Israel without any preconditions. In comparison, 22 percent say they support it, 65 percent oppose a return to talks with the US, and 29 percent are in favor.
Seventy-five percent say that the PA should remain neutral in a war between Russia and Ukraine, with 14 percent supporting Russia and 6 percent supporting Ukraine.
Thirty-two percent said the biggest problem facing Palestinians was occupation, while 23 percent said it was corruption. Another 17 percent said it was unemployment.
PA spokesman Ibrahim Melheim told Arab News: “Citizens’ satisfaction stems from the performance of the Palestinian government, particularly from circumstances; sometimes there are good conditions that allow the government to provide the best services, and therefore citizens. It is a matter of good luck to get the satisfaction of the government, but sometimes the government has to face a multiple crisis, so the percentage of people satisfied with its performance is reduced.
“We make every effort to achieve reasonable satisfaction and provide best services to the citizens within the permissible limits of the available capabilities of the government,” he said.
Amer Hamdan, a human rights activist, told Arab News: “I think the percentage in the election results is logical and reasonable, because clearly, there is resentment against the performance of the PA, and people want to hold elections so that the factions can do the political process. but the PA continues to arrest political activists and continue to do normal with Israel.
“People in PA in the West Bank enjoy economic, political and security privileges for themselves and their children. Therefore, it is not in their best interest to hold elections,” Hamdan said.