According to the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in the PA and the Gaza Strip between 14-16 September 2017, an overwhelming majority of the PA and Gaza public is worried about the future of their liberties.
“This prevailing perception seems to be driven by the recent increase in the incidents in which journalists and activists have been arrested, by the recently announced presidential decree enacting a cybercrime law, and by the government proposed amendments to the Law of the Judiciary. A large majority believes that Palestinians cannot criticize the PA without fear. In fact, half of the public believes that the PA has now become a burden on the Palestinian people,” the PSR states.
Using a sample is 1270 adults interviewed face to face in 127 randomly selected locations, with a margin of error of 3%, the survey concludes that this “worry about the future of liberties, along with the concerns about the steps taken by the PA against the Gaza Strip, might be responsible for the increase in the demand for the resignation of […] Abbas and the decline in his popularity compared to that of Hamas’ presidential candidate, Ismael Haniyeh. Indeed, if presidential elections were held today, Haniyeh would win against Abbas.”
The survey findings also indicate a decline in support for Fatah, particularly in the Gaza Strip where Hamas is more popular. Fatah’s popularity in the Gaza Strip stands at 28%, compared to 40% only nine months ago. And Gazans who still support Fatah are shifting loyalty to Mohammad Dahlan, whose popularity among Gazans has more than doubled during the past nine months, from 9% to 23% today. In the PA his popularity remains at less than 1%. Overall, in the PA Fatah remains more popular than Hamas.
These are the PSR findings regarding presidential and parliamentary elections:
67% of the public want Abbas to resign while 27% want him to remain in office. Three months ago, 62% said they want Abbas to resign. Demand for Abbas’ resignation stands at 60% in the PA and 80% in the Gaza Strip. Three months ago demand for Abbas resignation stood at 55% in the PA and 75% in the Gaza Strip.
If Abbas does not nominate himself in a new election, 35% prefer to see Marwan Barghouti replacing him, while 21% prefer Ismail Haniyeh; Mohammad Dahlan 9% (1% in the PA and 23% in the Gaza Strip); Mustapha Barghouti (5%); and Khalid Mishal and Rami al Hamdallah (4% each).
The level of satisfaction with the performance of Abbas stands at 31% and dissatisfaction at 65%. Level of satisfaction with Abbas stands at 38% in the PA and 21% in the Gaza Strip. Three months ago, satisfaction with Abbas stood at 34% (39% in the PA and 24% in the Gaza Strip).
If new presidential elections were held today and only two were nominated, Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud Abbas, the former would receive 50% and the latter 42% of the vote (compared to 45% each three months ago). In the Gaza Strip, Abbas receives 36% of the vote (compared to 39% three months ago) and Haniyeh receives 62% (compared to 55% three months ago). In the PA, Abbas receives 45% (compared to 50% three months ago) and Haniyeh 42% (compared to 40% three months ago).
If presidential elections were between three: Mahmud Abbas, convicted mass-murderer (and sneak-eater) Marwan Barghouti and Ismail Haniyeh, Abbas would receive 20%, Barghouti 43% and Haniyeh 33%. If presidential elections were between two: Marwan Barghouti and Ismail Haniyeh, Barghouti receives 59% and Haniyeh 36%.
If new legislative elections were held today with the participation of all factions, 63% say they would participate in such elections. Of those who would participate, 29% say they would vote for Hamas and 36% say they would vote for Fatah, 10% would vote for all other third parties combined, and 25% are undecided. Three months ago, the vote for Hamas stood at 29% and Fatah at 39%.