(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Pollock - Two new, reliable Palestinian opinion polls taken inside Gaza this month demonstrate that the majority of its people actually oppose the violent border protests by Hamas against Israel and at least half would support a formal cease-fire with Israel. Most Gazans say they want direct dialogue with Israelis, and would like Israeli companies to provide jobs for them inside the territory. Most also blame Hamas, the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, or the UN, not Israel, for their severe economic woes. Moreover, a plurality of Palestinians in Gaza say they want Hamas to change its rejectionist position and agree to make peace with Israel. Altogether, popular attitudes in Gaza are more attuned to reality than either the militant image propagated by Hamas or the desperate anger at Israel often portrayed in outside media. The writer is a fellow at the Washington Institute.
2018-10-30 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive