75% of Palestinians: Chances for state in 5 years ‘nonexistent’

The poll, conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, showed that most Palestinians believe that PA President Mahmoud Abbas will accept the framework agreement.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian youth practices parkour (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian youth practices parkour
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A total of 62 percent of Palestinians would oppose US Secretary of State John Kerry’s proposed framework agreement if it includes a request to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, a public opinion poll published on Monday showed.
The poll, conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, showed that most Palestinians believe that PA President Mahmoud Abbas will accept the framework agreement.
The poll covered 1,200 Palestinians and has a margin of error of ±3%.
According to the findings of the poll, 56% of respondents believe that Abbas will accept the agreement, while 32% are convinced that he will reject it.
Only 32% said that they will accept the proposed agreement if it includes a demand for recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.
An overwhelming majority of 76% of Palestinians believe that Abbas will agree to extend the peace talks after the expiration of the nine-month deadline in late April, the poll showed.
However, it revealed that 55% of respondents are opposed an extension of the peace talks, as opposed to only 42% who support such a move.
According to the poll, 75% of Palestinians believe that Abbas will go to international organizations after the end of the current round of peace talks.
The survey showed that 56% of respondents believe that a majority of Palestinians will vote in favor of a peace agreement reached by Abbas and Israel.
In addition, 51% said they support the two-state solution, while 57% believe that such a solution is no longer practical due to settlement expansion.
A majority of 75% of Palestinians believe that the chances for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the next five years are nonexistent. Yet, 72% are opposed to a one-state solution.
With regards to presidential elections, the poll showed that Abbas would receive 53% of the vote, while Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh would get 41%. Three months ago, Abbas received the support of 52%, while Haniyeh got 42%.