Palestinian Polls

Palestinian poll conducted in the West Bank and Gaza between 10-13 June 2010 finds that in the aftermath of the Free Gaza flotilla incident, Turkey is the most popular regional country, but Hamas's popularity remains unchanged while Salam Fayyad and his government gain greater public support.

The poll also shows that 68% of the Palestinians support the Saudi initiative which calls for Arab recognition of and normalization of relations with Israel after it ends its occupation of Arab territories occupied in 1967 and after the establishment of a Palestinian state.

According to the poll conducted by the Ramallah-based firm Near East Consulting published on November 8^th at Ma’an News Agency, 62% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza oppose Abbas’ decision not to seek reelection in next elections.

The poll prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali and published by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion on November 4th 2009, also finds a considerable majority in favor of the presidential and parliamentary elections in January 2010; and wide-spread conviction that the economic situation in the West Bank has improved under the government of Salam Fayyad.

According to the poll published in October 2009 by the Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, a vast majority of Palestinians optimistic about the future. There is also a wide-spread confidence in the security performance of Fayyad’s government resulting in a rise of his popularity. At the same time, the popularity of President Abbas has declined. With regard to the political parties, Fatah Movement still enjoys greater support than Hamas. A clear majority of Palestinians also supports the Arab Peace Initiative while the level of confidence and trust in the US Administration has decreased.

The poll shows an overwhelming support for the PLO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinians. Fayyad‘s Government approval increases. The evaluation of the role of the security agency of the PNA and its government in the West Bank is much higher than that of security agencies of the government in Gaza. The findings also show a widespread support for the elections in 2010.