PSR - Survey Research Unit: Poll No. 21 - Press Release
www.pcpsr.org/survey/polls/2006/p21epressrelease.html

18 September 2006
PRESS RELEASE

Palestinian Public Opinion Poll No. (21)

Despite Dissatisfaction with the Performance of the Hamas Government,
Especially Regarding Salaries, and Despite Public Preference for a National
Unity Government in which Fateh and Hamas are Equal, Hamas' Popularity
Remains Largely Unchanged and the Majority does not Think it Should
Recognize Israel
14-16 September 2006

These are the results of the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center
for Policy and Survey Research in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during
September 14-16, 2006. Total size of the sample is 1270 adults interviewed
face to face in 127 randomly selected locations. Margin of error is 3%.

For further details, contact PSR director, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, or Walid
Ladadweh at tel 02-296 4933 or email pcpsr@pcpsr.org.

Main Findings:

· A majority of 54% is dissatisfied with the overall performance of
the Hamas government and 42% are satisfied. Dissatisfaction with the
performance of the Hamas government regarding economic issues, such as
salaries and poverty, reaches 69% and satisfaction stands at 26%.

· The public exhibits a total consensus (84%) that the situation of
the Palestinians today is bad or very bad with only 5% describing
Palestinian conditions today as good or very good. Moreover, 80% say they
and their families do not feel safe or secure in the Palestinian areas.
Perception of corruption in the PA is at its highest, at 89%, while 72%
believe that jobs these days are largely obtained through wasta (personal
and family connections).

· Yet, despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the performance
of the Hamas government, the percentage of those who say that they would
vote for it if new elections are held today remains essentially unchanged,
standing at 38% compared to 39% three months ago. Fateh's popularity
increases slightly during the same period from 39% to 41%. The popularity of
all other factions and groups combined reaches 9% in this poll and 12%
remain undecided. Hamas' popularity reached a highest point in March 2006,
one month after the parliamentary elections, when it stood at 47% compared
to Fateh's 39%.

· Moreover, a majority (67%) does not think that Hamas should accept
the demand of the donor community to recognize Israel and only 30% believe
it should.

· Only a quarter supports the formation of a national unity
government composed of all factions but under the leadership of Hamas.
Another quarter (24%) supports an apolitical government made up of
professionals and technocrats. The largest percentage (46%) supports a
national unity government in which Fateh and Hamas have equal weights.

· The largest percentage (32%) wants the top priority of the
national unity government to be the enforcement of law and order, followed
by a return to the peace process and negotiations (25%), ending the
international financial and political sanctions on the PA (23%), and
implementing political reforms and fight corruption (18%).

· Satisfaction with the performance of President Mahmud Abbas (Abu
Mazin) stands at 55%. Three months ago, his popularity stood at 53%.

· The largest percentage (46%) believes that the strike by PA
employees and teachers is not political and that it aims at protesting the
deteriorating living conditions while 36% believe it to be political
targeting the Hamas government, and 16% view it as a political strike
protesting against the international community.

· An overwhelming majority (86%) opposes the kidnapping of
foreigners residing in Palestinian areas and 13% support it.

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This PSR survey was conducted with the support of the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation in Ramallah.