An-Najah National University
Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies
Tel: (972) (9) 2345113 Fax: (972)(9) 2345982
Nablus - Palestinian: P.O.Box 7, 707
Email: Polls@najah.edu hussein596@yahoo.com

Results of Palestinian Public Opinion Poll
No. 31
15-17 November 2007

Following are the results of the Palestinian Public Opinion Poll No. 31
conducted by the Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah
National University during the period from 15-17 November, 2007. The
University sponsors all polls conducted by its Center.

The sample included 1360 persons whose age group is 18 and above and who
have the right to vote. The enclosed questionnaire was distributed on 860
persons from the West Bank and 500 persons from the Gaza Strip. The sample
was drawn randomly and the margin of error is about ±3%; still 4.2% of the
members of the sample refused to answer the questionnaire.

The opinions represented in the results reflect those of the study; they do
not, by any means, represent the opinion of An-Najah National University.

Results:

There are claims that the PA worked towards ending the role of the PLO and
that the PA uses the PLO to counter Hamas. Do you support such claims?
27.4% I support
57.1% I reject
15.6% No opinion/I do not know

Hamas has to reject joining the PLO as long as the PLO does not adopt Hamas'
program. Do you support or reject such position.
33.3% I support
53.7% I reject
13.0% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think that there is a need to add Hamas to the institutions of the
PLO?
50.4% Yes
42.4% No
7.2% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think that Hamas is serious in its demands to join the PLO?
32.9% Yes
52.4% No
14.6% No opinion/I do not know

Do you believe that the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the
Palestinian people?
68.4% Yes
24.8% No
6.8% No opinion/I do not know

More than one spokesperson of Hamas declared that the PLO institutions are
illegitimate and do not represent the Palestinian people. Do you support or
reject Hamas' position?
9.9% I strongly support
14.8% I support
44.6% I reject
25.2% I strongly reject
5.5% No opinion/I do not know

There is a Palestinian Government led by Ismael Haniyeh that President
Mahmoud Abbas ordered to resign after the June incidents in the Gaza Strip,
and there is a Palestinian Government led by Salam Fayyad which could not
win the confidence of the PLC. Which of the two governments do you consider
legitimate?
19.3% Ismael Haniyeh's government
45.4% Salam Fayyad's government
29.4% Both are illegitimate
6.0% No opinion/I do not know

Regardless of its legitimacy or illegitimacy, do you support or reject the
general policy of the Palestinian government led by Salam Fayyad?
51.7% I support
35.8% I reject
12.5% No opinion/I do not know

Regardless of its legitimacy or illegitimacy, do you support or reject the
general policy of the dissolved government of Ismael Haniyeh?
22.6% I support
65.9% I reject
11.5% No opinion/I do not know

The Israeli measures against the members of the PLC aside, which Palestinian
side, in your opinion, is responsible of impairing the PLC?
24.5% Fateh bloc
43.0% Hamas bloc
11.2% The other blocs
21.3% No opinion/I do not know

Since the PLC has been disabled for a long period of time, are you in favor
of a decision to be made by President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the PLC?
55.0% Yes
33.2% No
11.8% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think that the PLC members prioritize their interests to the interest
of their country?
46.2% Yes
28.1% May be
19.9% No
5.8% No opinion/I do not know

If new PLC elections are conducted, whom do you vote for?
4.7% Independent Islamists bloc
9.0% Independent Nationalist bloc
40.6% Fateh bloc
11.8% Hamas bloc
3.4% A bloc from leftist organizations
2.0% Others
18.8% I will not participate in the elections
9.8% No opinion/I do not know

If new legislative elections were to be held today, which of the following
would win?
3.6% Independent Islamists bloc
8.3% Independent Nationalist bloc
53.8% Fateh bloc
14.4% Hamas bloc
2.0% A bloc from leftist organizations
17.9% No opinion/I do not know

What makes Hamas unable to dominate the West Bank?
36.7% The Israeli Occupation
23.3% The Strength of Fateh in the West Bank
19.6% The weakness of Hamas in the West Bank
13.0% The strength of the security apparatuses in the West Bank
7.4% No opinion/I do not know

One of the foremost leaders of Hamas in the Gaza Strip declared that he will
try to pray in the Headquarters of the PA in Ramallah. Some inferred from
this declaration that Hamas seeks to dominate the West Bank like it did with
the Gaza Strip. Do you support or reject this declaration?
16.8% I support
72.6% I reject
10.6% No opinion/I do not know

If Hamas has an intention to form an executive force in the West Bank, will
you support or reject it?
18.9% I support
72.8% I reject
8.3% No opinion/I do not know

The Palestinian security apparatuses are carrying out a campaign of arrests
against some Hamas affiliated individuals under different pretexts. The most
important of these pretexts is that these Hamas individuals are trying to
shake the security situation in the West Bank. Do support or reject these
arrests?
34.1% I support
56.3% I reject
9.6% No opinion/I do not know

The Executive Force in the Gaza Strip is carrying out a campaign of arrests
against some Fateh affiliated individuals under different pretexts. The most
important of these pretexts is that these Fateh individuals are trying to
shake the security situation in the Gaza Strip. Do support or reject these
arrests?
13.6% I support
77.8% I reject
8.6% No opinion/I do not know

There are reports about cases of torture that the security apparatuses in
the West Bank inflict on Hamas prisoners. Do you believe or disbelieve such
reports?
33.6% I believe them
48.0% I disbelieve them
18.4% No opinion/I do not know

There are reports about cases of torture that the Executive Force in the
Gaza Strip inflict on Fateh prisoners. Do you believe or disbelieve such
reports?
56.8% I believe them
26.7% I disbelieve them
16.5% No opinion/I do not know

After the Gaza incidents, what do you think has happened to the freedom of
expression in the Gaza Strip?
14.8% It remained the same as it was.
14.6% It improved
63.3% It retreated
7.3% No opinion/I do not know

After the Gaza incidents, what do you think has happened to the freedom of
expression in the West Bank?
35.3% It remained the same as it was.
21.0% It improved
34.7% It retreated
9.0% No opinion/I do not know

After the meeting that took place in Ramallah between President Mahmoud
Abbas and a number of Hamas leaders in the West Bank, do you think that such
meetings are indicators of ----------?
16.3% Individual initiatives made by some of the leaders of Hamas
11.7% Prefaces to an intention of Hamas to recant from what it did in Gaza
18.8% Splits within Hamas
17.6% Delegations given to these members to negotiate with President Abbas.
21.8% The vision of Hamas leaders in the West Bank is different from that of
Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip.
1.8% Others
11.9% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think that the security conditions in the Gaza Strip after the
dominance of Hamas are -----?
17.0% improving
64.9% deteriorating
12.2% the same
5.9% No opinion/I do not know

Do you believe that the security situation in the Gaza Strip was in a better
condition before Hamas took over.
41.0% Yes
25.0% May be
28.6% No
5.4% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think what Hamas did was a coup against the Palestinian legitimacy?
59.9% Yes
28.3% No
11.8% No opinion/I do not know

There are those who say that Hamas is endeavoring to create an entity for
itself in the Gaza Strip in isolation from the West Bank. What do you think?
38.4% TRUE
29.9% May be
25.7% Not true
6.0% No opinion/I do not know

Do you think that Hamas is capable off managing the affairs of people in the
Gaza Strip?
21.9% Yes
68.0% No
10.1% No opinion/I do not know

When you listen to the news through Fateh and Hamas media, whom do you tend
to believe?
30.6% I believe Fateh media
13.2% I believe Hamas media
4.1% I believe both of them
45.1% I believe neither of them
7.1% No opinion/I do not know

What, in your opinion, are the priorities of the present Palestinian
government led by Salam Fayyad? (State your opinion on a 0-10 scale)
5.9 Extending its control over the Strip
7.0 Restraining the chaotic security situation in the West Bank
5.1 Restoring dialogue between Fateh and Hamas
6.9 Improving the economic conditions
7.4 Paying salaries to the employees
6.6 Rebuilding Palestinian institutions

What are your priorities at the present time? (State your opinion on a 0-10
scale)
6.7 Extending its control over the Strip
8.2 Restraining the chaotic security situation in the West Bank
7.1 Restoring dialogue between Fateh and Hamas
8.6 Improving the economic conditions
8.6 Securing funds for salaries

Do you think that the international conference (the Annapolis Conference)
that the US called for this fall aiming at pushing the peace process forward
will succeed?
30.8% Yes
54.9% No
14.3% No opinion/I do not know

The Palestinian Authority decided from the very beginning to participate in
the Annapolis Conference. Are you in favor of the PA's participation?
61.3% Yes
29.2% No
9.5% No opinion/I do not know

Do you support or reject the notion that Palestinian arms should be in the
hands of Palestinian security apparatuses, and that any other arms in the
hands of other Palestinian men will be considered arms for racketeering
business?
68.2% I support
25.9% I reject
6.0% No opinion/I do not know

The Palestinian Government started a large security campaign in the City of
Nablus to restore order and the rule of law. Do you think that the campaign
will
61.6% Succeed
24.6% Fail
13.1% No opinion/I do not know

The administrations of some Palestinian universities suspended student
activities inside campuses to preserve the well-being of the educational
process, and to keep universities uninvolved in political struggles. Do you
support or reject such measures?
70.8% I support
21.2% I reject
8.0% No opinion/I do not know

Now that Hamas dominated the Gaza Strip, do you think that Al-Qassam
Brigades will resume firing rockets from the Strip against Israel?
38.5% Yes
45.4% No
16.1% No opinion/I do not know

Are you worried about your life under the present circumstances?
57.6% Yes
37.4% No
5.0% No opinion/I do not know

Are you pessimistic or optimistic towards the general Palestinian situation
at this stage?
30.4% Optimistic
62.7% Pessimistic
6.8% No opinion/I do not know

Under the present circumstances, do you feel that you, your family and your
properties are safe?
18.1% Yes
30.4% May be
48.3% No
3.2% No opinion/I do not know

Which of the following political affiliations do you support?
PARTY
1.1% People's Party
1.1% Democratic Front
3.2% Islamic Jihad
44.3% Fateh
13.2% Hamas
0.4% Fida
3.7% Popular Front
0.8% Palestinian National Initiative
5.7% I am an independent nationalist
3.8% I am an independent Islamist
22.0% None of the above
0.7% Others