Israel Matzav

Great news (really): 45% of Gaza 'Palestinians' want to leave

Findings of the fourth quarter of 2010 indicate an increase in the level of pessimism regarding the chances for reconciliation and restoration of unity
between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They also indicate an overwhelming
rejection of alternative forms of relations between the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip such as a confederation or separate elections in each region.
Findings also show widespread distrust in the authorities in both the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip regarding Fateh-Hamas relationship. For example,
only a quarter or less believe as true the news about a Hamas plot to
assassinate the governor of Nablus or that the three Fateh members sentenced
to death in Gaza have received a fair trial.

Findings also point out to a significant and continued deterioration in
public perception of the level of freedoms enjoyed by citizens in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip since the split between these two areas in June
2007. For example, belief that citizens can criticize the authorities in the
West Bank without fear retreated from 56% in September 2007 to 27% in this
poll. Similarly a retreat occurred in the belief that citizens can criticize
the authorities in the Gaza Strip without fear from 52% to 19% during the
same period.

Finally, findings show that the balance of power between Fateh and Hamas has
remained almost unchanged compared to the situation during the third quarter
of the year. The same is true regarding the popularity of president Mahmud
Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh. Moreover, findings regarding the balance of power
in the fourth quarter of this year are very similar to those of the final
quarter of 2009 which means that the internal and external developments
throughout 2010 has left no impact on this critical issue of internal
balance between Fateh and Hamas and Abbas and Haniyeh.

Labels: Gaza, Gaza Palestinians

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:19 AM