Survey results reveal: Resistance popularity rising among Palestinians.
According to the Palestine Online news site, the Ramallah-based Poll Research Center released the results of a public opinion poll that shows significant changes in public sentiment among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, amid growing anger over political and economic conditions and the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
According to the poll, 80 percent of Palestinians welcomed the resignation of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, while 69 percent believe that the cabinet of new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has not implemented the necessary reforms since its formation.
The results marked a significant improvement for leaders outside the Palestinian Authority presidency, as 50 percent of respondents said they would vote for Marwan Barghouti if he were to run for president, while 68 percent expressed their willingness to vote for Khaled Meshaal if he were to compete with Mahmoud Abbas, who received only 25 percent of the vote.
In the legislative elections, 43 percent said they would vote for Hamas, compared to 28 percent who voted for Fatah. Meanwhile, 40 percent of Palestinians said Hamas was more qualified to lead Palestine, while only 19 percent considered Fatah to be the rightful leader.
64 percent of Palestinians also said that Operation Al-Aqsa Storm brought international attention to the Palestinian cause and believed that the resistance played a role in reviving the political presence of the issue, which had been forgotten for years.
According to the same poll, Palestinians’ general satisfaction with Hamas reached 67 percent, while satisfaction with Fatah did not exceed 24 percent, reflecting the Palestinian people’s consistent stance after more than a year and a half of war in Gaza.
70 percent of respondents also expressed their opposition to the Palestinian Authority returning to the Gaza Strip or controlling the crossings.