Middle East - Survey among Palestinians: Hamas on the rise, Abbas out
According to a survey, the reputation of the Islamist Hamas has risen sharply in the West Bank following its bloody attack on Israel that left 1,200 dead and triggered the Gaza war. This was the result of a survey published on Wednesday by the Palestinian polling institute PSR, which is considered to be reputable. 44 percent of people in the West Bank supported Hamas, compared to just 12 percent in September.
In the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military offensive to destroy Hamas has already killed more than 18,600 people, injured almost 50,600 and caused major destruction, Hamas' popularity also rose, albeit to a lesser extent, from 38% to 42%. Meanwhile, the popularity of the more moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas continued to fall. According to the survey, 88 percent of respondents were in favor of his resignation.
However, opinions differ between Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as to whether the Hamas attack on Israel more than two months ago was the right thing to do. While 82 percent in the West Bank were in favor of the attack, only 57 percent in the directly affected coastal strip were. However, only 1% of respondents in the West Bank and 17% in the Gaza Strip believe that Israel could achieve its war aim of destroying Hamas. Almost two thirds expect Hamas to continue to rule the Gaza Strip in the future.
90 percent of those surveyed stated that Hamas had not committed any atrocities in Israel, as evidenced by videos and testimonies from survivors. A large majority accuses Israel's Western supporters, above all the USA, of moral failure in view of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. A majority also believes that the Western countries' advocacy of a two-state solution is not really meant seriously.
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- Despite the rise of Hamas' reputation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip due to the conflicts with Israel, President Mahmud Abbas has faced a significant decrease in popularity, with 88% of survey respondents calling for his resignation.
- The survey also revealed that while a majority in the West Bank supported Hamas' attack on Israel, those in the Gaza Strip, directly affected by the conflict, were less in favor.
- The Islamist group Hamas has not been accused of committing atrocities in Israel, according to 90% of survey participants, who instead blame Israel's Western supporters for moral failures and lack of seriousness towards a two-state solution.
- The conflict between Hamas and Israel has left severe damage in the Gaza Strip, with over 18,600 people killed, nearly 50,600 injured, and extensive destruction.
- While Hamas' popularity has increased in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, almost two-thirds of respondents expect the group to continue ruling the Gaza Strip in the future.
- The Israeli military's goal of destroying Hamas in the Gaza Strip remains elusive, as 1% of West Bank respondents and 17% of Gaza Strip respondents believe it can be achieved.
Source: www.stern.de
