Abbas retakes lead in Palestinian poll

PA chief's popularity far greater that Haniyeh's, seen as more able to get results from Israel in peace deal.

By ITAMAR SHARON
Abbas Haniyeh 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Abbas Haniyeh 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has received a boost in popularity in light of his recent efforts to reconcile with Hamas, while the terror organization's standing with the Palestinian public has declined, a poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) shows. According to the poll, whose results were released Saturday, if new presidential elections were held today - and given a choice between Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh - the former would receive the support of 52 percent and the latter 40%. This is a significant change from a poll conducted by the PSR in March, according to which Abbas would get 46%, compared to 47% for Haniyeh. The PRS mentioned Hamas's failure in bringing about the reopening the Rafah border crossing and reaching a cease-fire deal with Israel as some of the possible reasons for its decline in popularity. Abbas was also the more popular peacemaker, with 49% of the Palestinians saying that he was more able than Hamas to reach a peace agreement with Israel, while only 15% said the Hamas government was more able to do so. Interestingly, 41% believed that the PA under Abbas was more able than Hamas's government to force Israel to make more concessions to the Palestinians, while only 25% believed Hamas was more able to do so. Fatah showed strength in several other areas: Its popularity over Hamas in potential parliamentary elections rose from seven percentage points in March (42% to Hamas's 35%) to 12 points today (43% to Hamas's 31%). Satisfaction with the performance of Abbas as well as PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad's government was also up. As Fatah and Hamas head for reconciliation talks, 31% of the public said Fayad's government was the legitimate Palestinian government, while 29% said Haniyeh's administration was the legitimate one. Three months ago, Haniyeh's government was leading with 34% to Fayad's 29%. Meanwhile, 57% of Palestinians said the deployment of Fatah security forces in some cities and towns in the West Bank has succeeded or somewhat succeeded in enforcing law and order. 34% said it has failed to do so. The poll was conducted in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between June 5 and 7, and interviewed 1,270 adults face-to-face in 127 randomly selected locations.