Poll: Haniyeh more popular than Abbas after IDF raids on Gaza

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Israel Defense Forces attacks in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have boosted the popularity of the Islamist group's leader Ismail Haniyeh among Palestinians in that territory and in the West Bank, according to a poll released Monday.

The survey by the West Bank-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed that if new presidential elections were held, Haniyeh would receive 47 percent of the vote compared with 46 percent for President Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah faction.

The figures represented a sharp strengthening of Haniyeh's popularity. He served as prime minister in the Hamas-led government Abbas dismissed after Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah in June.

The center's previous poll, in December, gave Gaza-based Haniyeh just 37 percent of a potential presidential vote compared with 56 percent for Abbas, whose peace efforts with Israel are opposed by Hamas.

The latest poll was conducted shortly after Israel ended an offensive in the Gaza Strip in early March that killed more than 120 Palestinians, almost half of them were identified as civilians."

more

[bushmeister0]

1. This goes to show how desperate the situation is there.

Too bad Israel has to keep arresting and killing any and every person who steps up to lead. Of course, if you're the occupier, I guess you can't tolerate anyone standing up to challenge your power.

Both the Israelis and the Palestinians seem to be in an impossible situation. Perhaps a nice new war against Iran would shake things up? I'm sure the subject of Iran will be on the agenda when Darth Cheney arrives.

[Vegasaurus]

2. Really brilliant of them.

Support the leader who has made their lives infinitely more miserable.

[hifalutin]

3. That really is too bad,

the more support the Palestinians give to Hamas, the less support they will get from the rest of the world.

[bemildred]

4. Boy howdy, this is sure driving them away from Hamas, isn't it? nt

[ProgressiveMuslim]

5. Why would Israel want to drive people from Hamas?

It benefits them to keep Palestine divided for as long as possible!

[bemildred]

6. I thought that was the stated purpose for the oppression of Gaza?

If only they would reject Hamas and stop resistance, the Israelis would be soooo good to them. Wasn't that the argument?

Although, I think it's too late for that, Israel wants a divorce from Gaza now. The argument is about the alimony.