Backing For Hamas In Palestine Continues To Grow: Poll

A recent wartime opinion poll among Palestinians shows a rise in support for Hamas, which appears to have ticked up even in the devastated Gaza Strip, and an overwhelming rejection of Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA), with nearly 90% saying he must resign, Karin Laub reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Despite the devastation, 57% of respondents in Gaza and 82% in the West Bank believe Hamas was correct in launching the October attack. I Photo: Hoheit (¿!) Wikimedia Commons

The findings by Palestinian pollster Khalil Shikaki of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) signal more difficulties ahead for the Biden administration’s postwar vision for Gaza and raise questions about Israel’s stated goal of ending Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.

The survey was conducted from Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 among 1,231 people in the West Bank and Gaza and had an error margin of 4 percentage points.

In Gaza, poll workers conducted 481 in-person interviews during a weeklong cease-fire that ended on Dec. 1.

Despite the devastation, 57% of respondents in Gaza and 82% in the West Bank believe Hamas was correct in launching the October attack, the poll indicated. A large majority believed Hamas’ claims that it acted to defend a major Islamic shrine in Jerusalem against Jewish extremists and win the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Only 10% said they believed Hamas has committed war crimes. Overall, 88% want Abbas to resign, up by 10 percentage points from three months ago.

In the West Bank, 92% called for the resignation of the octogenarian who has presided over an administration widely seen as corrupt, autocratic, and ineffective. At the same time, 44% in the West Bank said they supported Hamas, up from just 12% in September. In Gaza, the militants enjoyed 42% support, up slightly from 38% three months ago.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem