(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Pollock - Reliable data from a new survey conducted in Gaza on May 16-25, 2017, by a professional, independent Palestinian pollster demonstrate that only 14% of Gazans self-identify as Hamas supporters. Fatah garners 41% of Gazans' self-professed affiliation. 77% of Gazans agree that "the PA should send officials and security officers to Gaza, to take over the administration there." 80% of Gazans want Hamas to "preserve a cease-fire with Israel. 62% say that "Hamas should stop calling for Israel's destruction, and instead accept a permanent two-state solution based on the 1967 lines." 2/3 of Gazans report a monthly family income of under $330, compared with just 8% of West Bankers. This helps explain why 69% of Gazans want more jobs in Israel. If the Palestinian leadership is able to negotiate a two-state solution, 47% of Gazans - up 13 points since 2015 - said "that should end the conflict." The writer, a fellow at The Washington Institute, served as senior advisor for the Broader Middle East at the State Department.
2017-06-21 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive