A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research was published yesterday, revealing a marked decline in support for Hamas, particularly in the West Bank.
Some 39 percent of those surveyed said they would vote for Hamas if parliamentary elections were held today, compared to 46 percent one month ago. In contrast, those who would vote in favor of Fatah has risen to 36 percent from 31 percent one month ago, the poll showed.
Before the Gaza war, Fatah led against Hamas in the poll, 40 to 32 percent.
If presidential elections were held today and the only two candidates were Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Fatah leader Abbas, Haniyeh would be favored by 55 percent of those surveyed, down from 61 percent one month ago. The survey showed that 38 percent would vote for Abbas, up from 32 percent last month.
Ha’aretz observes that Hamas accomplished none of its objectives in its war, as “Israel’s blockade of Gaza remains largely in place and Gaza’s border crossings with it and with Egypt [remain] highly restricted.”
Fewer Palestinians now believe that Hamas “won” the war, down to 69% from 79% a month ago.
The full results of the poll show that Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza feel less secure than they did before the war. However, 80% of those surveyed (including 72% in Gaza) supported firing rockets from Gaza into Israel.
In the immediate aftermath of Operation Protective Edge, Palestinian support for Hamas spiked. The declining poll numbers reflect a perception that Hamas has been in a “free fall” since the war ended.
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