Poll shows Palestinians favor early election, call on government to resign¤

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A majority of Palestinians would like the unity government of Fatah and Hamas to resign, and would prefer new elections despite having little faith in either party, according to a poll released Saturday. Some 60 percent demanded the government resign, and 50 percent said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas should call for early presidential and legislative elections. The survey was conducted by the independent polling company Neareast Consulting. It included 800 respondents and had a margin of error of 3.45 percent. Abbas earned higher marks (59 percent support) than PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas (41 percent), but 45 percent of Palestinians said there was no Palestinian personality capable of leading, with 52 percent saying they didn't trust any faction. "Palestinians are living in a leadership crisis," said pollster Jamil Rabah. "They think the leadership of the factions aren't capable of curbing their individuals, who they think are the main cause of the infighting ... they think the government is incapable of governing and solving problems." The poll comes amidst Hamas and Fatah infighting which has killed nearly 50 people in Gaza this month.