Palestinian Attitudes On The Statehood Bid, Peace Prospects, Internal Politics, & Society (October 2011)

(Updated February 2015)

Return to Palestinian Opinion Polls: Table of Contents

- UN Palestinian Statehood Bid - 2011
- Peace Process/Negotiations
- Internal Politics
- Prisoner-Gilad Shalit Exchange - 2011
- Palestinian Society

UN Palestinian Statehood Bid - 2011 ^top

What should be the FIRST, most vital Palestinian goal? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

to end Israeli occupation inthe areas occupied in 1967 and build a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital	48%
to obtain the right of return of refugees to their 1948 towns and villages	30%
to build a pious or moral individual and religious society, one that applies all Islamic teachings	14%
to establish a democratic political system that respects freedoms and rights of Palestinians	9%

* In September 2011, 59% viewed statehood within the 1967 borders as the most vital Palestinian goal.

Do you think that submitting a bid by the PLO and the PA to recognize the State of Palestine in the UN was a positive move that serves the Palestinian cause?(Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	77.7%
No	19.1%
No opinion/I do not know	3.2%

Do you think that the PLO and PA conducted a good diplomatic campaign when they submitted the bid of recognition at the UN? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	73.0%
No	19.9%
No opinion/Don't know	7.1%

How, in your opinion, does the bid of recognition influence the Palestinian cause?(Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Positively	56.2%
No influence	21.4%
Negatively	17.6%
No opinion/Don't know	4.8%

Do you think that the Security Council will vote in favor of the creation of the Palestinian state?(Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	45.4%
No	43.5%
No opinion/Don't know	11.1%

Do you think that the PLO and PA are capable of securing 9 votes in the Security Council to guarentee a recognition of the Palestinian State?(Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	54.7%
No	32.5%
No opinion/Don't know	12.9%

Since the US has threatened to use the Veto at the Security Council against the recognition of the Palestinian State, do you think that the US will use the Veto?(Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	67.1%
No	22.6%
No opinion/Don't know	10.4%

If the US uses the Vito at the Security Council against the recognition of the State of Palestine, do you think that the Vito will encourage Israel to proceed in its policy in the Palestinian Territories? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	82.6%
No	11.3%
No opinion/Don't know	6.1%

Do you support or oppose the current Palestinian pursuit for state recognition at the UN? (Arab World for Research and Development, October 13, 2011)

Support	64.4%
Neutral	18.5%
Oppose	15.9%
Don't know	1.0%

Do you believe the Palestinian cause has been advanced by this initiative? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Advanced	36.6%
Set back	16.6%
Not changed	44.3%
Don't know	2.6%

Did you listen to the speech delivered by President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN on October 23, 2011? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes, in full	40.3%
Yes, in part	39.0%
No	20.7%

What was your assessment of the speech? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Excellent	39.9%
Good	31.0%
Average	14.7%
Weak	4.8%
Very weak	2.3%
Don't know	7.4%

How do you evaluate the position of Hamas on the UN initiative? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Positive	11.9%
Average	33.0%
Negative	44.7%
Don't know	7.4%

What should be the next political step by the Palestinian leadership with respect to statehood? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Continue to pursue recognition through the UN Security council	59.0%
Seek official observer status from the UN General Assembly	12.2%
Abandon the UN initiative and return to the negotiating table immediately	13.0%
Don't know	15.8%

Which of the following do you believe will result from the UN initiative? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Palestinian negotiating position will be strengthened	58.2%
Palestinian negotiating position will be weakened	4.4%
Nothing will change	32.6%
Don't know	4.8%

In the context of the Palestinian UN initiative, how do you view the following actors? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

	Turkey	Egypt	Arab League	Jordan
More positive	68.2%	50.6%	42.3%	38.3%
Stayed the same	25.1%	32.3%	37.1%	39.6%
Less positive	4.4%	13.3%	16.4%	18.0%
Don't know	2.2%	3.8%	3.3%	4.1%

	U.N. General Assembly	EU	U.N. Security Council	U.S.A.	Israel
More positive	26.1%	24.8%	19.9%	6.1%	2.3%
Stayed the same	36.9%	39.6%	37.8%	22.3%	15.9%
Less positive	33.1%	31.3%	36.7%	69.0%	79.7%
Don't know	3.9%	4.3%	5.7%	2.6%	2.1%

In the context of the Palestinian UN initiative, how do you view the following actors? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

	Mahmoud Abbas	PLO	Palestinian National Authority	Fatah
More positive	66.4%	66.3%	63.4%	61.3%
Stayed the same	24.9%	25.8%	28.3%	28.3%
Less positive	7.7%	6.6%	9.1%	8.8%
Don't know	1.0%	1.3%	1.1%	1.6%

	Salam Fayyad	Ismael Haniyeh	Hamas
More positive	48.9%	17.9%	14.8%
Stayed the same	36.6%	37.4%	37.7%
Less positive	10.6%	39.8%	42.8%
Don't know	3.9%	4.9%	4.8%

Do you believe the Palestinians are capable of surviving a decrease in international funding as a result of the UN initiative? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	29.2%
Maybe	26.4%
No	41.8%
Don't know	2.7%

Are you willing to personally sacrifice (a decrease in your income or salary) in order to reduce Palestinian dependency on foreign aid? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	35.4%
To a certain extent	27.7%
No	41.8%
Don't know	3.1%

Do you think that Israel is serious about its threats to cut off Palestinian tax money due to the Palestinian leadership's decision to resort to the UN? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	71.4%
No	23.5%
Don't know	5.1%

Do you think that the US is serious about its threats to cut off Palestinian tax money due to the Palestinian leadership's decision to resort to the UN? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	67.3%
No	26.9%
Don't know	5.8%

Peace Process/Negotiations ^top

There is a proposal that after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the settlement of all issues in dispute, including the refugees and Jerusalem issues, there will be a mutual recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and Palestine as the state of the Palestinian people. Do you agree or disagree with this proposal? (PSR, January 11, 2012)

Certainly agree	4.5%
Agree	47.8%
Disagree	35.0%
Certainly disagree	11.8%
No opinion/Don't know	0.8%

Now that negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis have stopped, would you support or oppose the following option in the search for achieving Palestinian rights: return to armed intifada and confrontations? (PSR, January 11, 2012)

Certainly support	9.7%
Support	31.4%
Oppose	49.1%
Certainly oppose	8.5%
No opinion/Don't know	1.3%

Do you think that the USA will pursue every possible way that is within its reach to salvage the peace process? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	24.6%
No	69.6%
No opinion/Don't know	5.8%

Do you think that the Palestinian State can only be established through negotiations? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	29.8%
No	64.4%
No opinion/Don't know	5.8%

Do you think that there will be any use from negotiations without acceptable frames of reference and without the freezing of settlement activities? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	14.7%
No	79.4%
No opinion/Don't know	5.9%

Do you think the USA is an impartial broker in the peace process between the PA and Israel? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	13.4%
No	82.5%
No opinion/Don't know	4.1%

Do you think that the European Union is an impartial broker in the peace process between the PA and Israel? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	34.2%
No	57.8%
No opinion/Don't know	8.0%

Do you think that the International Quartet is an impartial broker in the peace process between the PA and Israel? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	27.5%
No	59.8%
No opinion/Don't know	12.7%

If a Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition influence negotiations on the issue of refugees? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Positively	42.5%
No influence	23.4%
Negatively	29.8%
No opinion/Don't know	4.4%

If a Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition influence negotiations on the issue of Jerusalem? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Positively	40.6%
No influence	20.7%
Negatively	32.5%
No opinion/Don't know	6.1%

If a Palestinian State is recognized in the UN, how will this recognition influence negotiations on the issue of borders? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Positively	40.3%
No influence	20.6%
Negatively	32.2%
No opinion/Don't know	6.9%

Do you support or reject holding talks between the PA and the Israeli government if Israel continues its settlement activities in the West Bank? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

I support	18.4%
I reject	77.7%
No opinion/Don't know	3.9%

Do you think that it is possible to reach a lasting solution for the Palestinian Israeli conflict in view of the current circumstances? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	22.7%
No	72.2%
No opinion/Don't know	5.1%

Do you think that the USA and the European countries have a duplicity of standards when they support the demands of the popular revolutions in the Arab countries and do not support similar Palestinian demands? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	68.6%
No	20.9%
No opinion/Don't know	10.4%

Do you expect an erruption of a third intifada in the Palestinian Territories? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	57.2%
No	35.3%
No opinion/Don't know	7.4%

Do you support or reject the rise of an armed uprising (intifada)? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
I support	28.0%	49.8%	36.0%
I reject	67.9%	39.8%	57.6%
No opinion/Don't know	4.1%	10.4%	6.4%

Do you support or reject the rise of nonviolence and unarmed popular resistance? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

I support	58.3%
I reject	35.9%
No opinion/Don't know	5.7%

Do you personally support or oppose a two-state solution (Israel and Palestine - in the West Bank including East Jerusalem)? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Support	61.2%
Oppose	35.3%
Don't know	4.8%

Do you personally support or oppose a two-state solution (Israel and Palestine - in the West Bank including East Jerusalem)? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Support	61.2%
Oppose	35.3%
Don't know	4.8%

Do you believe that the following parties are serious about peace negotiations leading to the establishment of an independent Palestine? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

	Palestinian National Authority	EU	UN member states	USA	Israel
Yes	81.2%	23.3%	20.2%	6.2%	3.0%
To some extent	13.1%	41.4%	40.2%	17.3%	10.6%
No	5.4%	31.2%	35.9%	74.7%	85.7%
Don't know	0.3%	4.2%	3.8%	1.8%	0.8%

Do you support a return to the negotiations between Palestinians and Israel at this time? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes unconditionally	5.5%
Yes conditionally (after a halt to settlement construction)	58.0%
No	29.7%
Neutral	6.8%

In your opinion, which of the following is the best means to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Negotiations to reach an agreement between the two parties	21.1%
An international conference that imposes a settlement	20.8%
A non-violent popular uprising	16.8%
Armed/militant confrontations	16.6%
A mix of non-violent and militant means	21.1%
Others	1.0%
Don't know	2.7%

Do you believe that the American government is a neutral party in the negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	7.9%
To some extent	12.1%
No	78.3%
Don't know	1.7%

In general, do you believe that President Obama is capable of establishing a Palestinian state? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	22.0%
To some extent	20.6%
No	55.2%
Don't know	2.2%

Do you have more or less hope for the peace process now compared to one year ago? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

More hope	44.1%
Less hope	49.4%
Don't know	6.5%

20 years agter the negotiations started, do you feel that Palestinians are closer or farther from achieving their goal of establishing a Palestinian state? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Closer	49.4%
Farther	41.7%
Don't know	8.8%

Internal Politics ^top

Do you think that there is corruption in PA institutions under the control of President Abu Mazin? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	72.9%
No	17.7%
Don't know/ no answer	9.4%

Do you think that there is corruption in PA institutions under the control of the dismissed government in the Gaza Strip? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	61.6%
No	21.2%
Don't know/ no answer	17.2%

For whom would you vote for Palestinian Authority Chairman? (Maan News, March 21, 2012)

Marwan Barghouti (now serving five life sentences in Israel for murder)

55%

Do you rate the performance of the Haniyeh government and the Fayyad government as positive? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	September 2011	December 2011
Yes - Haniyeh gov. (in Gaza)	34%	41%
Yes - Fayyad gov. (in West Bank)	53%	44%

Are you satisfied with the performance of President Abbas? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	September 2011	December 2011
Yes - I am satisfied	52%	60% (47% in Gaza Strip; 67% in West Bank)
No - I am dissatisfied	44%	38%

If new presidential elections are held today and only two were nominated, who would win your vote? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	September 2011	December 2011
Abbas	59%	55% 54% in Gaza Strip; 56% in West Bank
Haniyeh	34%	37% 42% in Gaza Strip; 33% in West Bank
rate of participation in such an election	--	64%

If presidential elections are held today between Marwan Barghouti and Ismail Haniyeh, who would win your vote? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Barghouti	64%
Haniyeh	30%
rate of participation in such an election	71%

If new legislative elections are held today with the participation of all factions, for whom would you vote? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Hamas	29% Gaza Strip: 35% West Bank: 25%
Fateh	43% Gaza Strip: 43% West Bank: 44%
All other third parties - (combined percentage)	11%
Undecided	17%
rate of participation in such an election	73%

Assuming President Abbas would not run, who would you propose as a candidate for Fateh in the next presidential elections? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Marwan Barghouti	40%
Salam Fayyad	8%
Saeb Erekat	5%
Mohammad Dahlan	3%
Azzam al Ahmad	2%
Mustapha Barghouti	2%

Of the following individuals, who do you favor? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Marwan Barghouti	54%
Saeb Erekat	7%
Mahmud Al Aloul	4%
Azzam al Ahmad	3%
Abu Mahir Ghnaim	2%
Nasir al Qidwa	2%
Jibril al Rojoub	2%
Ahmad Qurie'	2%

After the meeting between president Mahmud Abbas and Khalid Mish'al, do you believe Fateh and Hamas will succeed in implementing the reconciliation agreement and reunify the West Bank and the Gaza Strip? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Yes - they will succeed	50%
No - they will NOT succeed	46%

When, if ever, do you expect to see the formation of a reconciliation government or a government of experts? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

within days or weeks	21%
only after a long time	46%
I never expect one to be formed	27%

Do you expect elections for president and parliament will be held in May 2012 or a little after that? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

Yes - I expect elections to be held then or around then	43%
No - I do not think elections will be held around May 2012	47%

Do you approve or oppose the exclusion of Salam Fayyad from leading the government of reconciliation or experts? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

agree to his exclusion, as Hamas wishes	44%
oppose his exclusion	47%

If a reconciliation or expert government is formed soon, do you expect the US government and/or Israel to punish the PA by suspending financial support? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

I expect the US government to punish the PA by suspending financial support	72%
I think Israel, too, would likely suspend transfer of custom money to the PA	80%
I expect the EU to suspend financial support in such a case	52%

Do you think that the surrounding Arab and international circumstances necessitate concluding a national reconciliation agreement between Fateh and Hamas? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	77.4%
No	18.7%
No opinion/Don't know	3.9%

Do you think that it is possible to reach a national reconciliation agreement between Fateh and Hamas in the near future? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	70.6%
No	22.3%
No opinion/Don't know	7.1%

In case a national reconciliation agreement is signed, what do you think the consequences will be? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Speeding the peace process	40.3%
Entangling and stopping the peace process	24.5%
It will not have any effect	27.6%
No opinion/Don't know	7.6%

Do you support conducting presidential elections despite the Palestinian division? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

I support	33.1%
I reject	62.5%
No opinion/Don't know	4.3%

If presidential elections are held in the present time, to whom from among the following do you give your vote? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

An independent candidate	6.7%
A candidate from the left	2.2%
A candidate from Hamas	7.9%
A candidate from Fateh	27.6%
A national independent candidate	7.1%
An Islamic independent candidate	3.6%
I will not participate in the elections	22.0%
I have not decided yet	23.0%

Do you support conducting legislative elections despite the Palestinian division? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

I support	32.8%
I reject	61.4%
No opinion/Don't know	5.8%

If new Palestinian Legislative Council elections are conducted, whom do you vote for? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

An independent ticket	5.7%
A ticket from the left	2.6%
A ticket from Hamas	8.0%
A ticket from Fateh	28.6%
A national independent ticket	7.2%
An Islamic independent ticket	3.7%
I will not participate in the elections	21.6%
I have not decided yet	22.7%

If legislative elections are to be held today, which of the following would win? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Independent Islamists bloc	4.2%
Independent Nationalist bloc	8.8%
Fateh bloc	43.4%
Hamas bloc	12.3%
A bloc from leftist organizations	1.4%
No opinion/I don't know	29.8%

Do you support conducting municipality and local council elections despite the Palestinian division? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

I support	45.8%
I reject	47.5%
No opinion/Don't know	6.8%

If municipality and local council elections are to be held, who do you vote for? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

A bloc that represents the family or clan	5.7%
An independent ticket	6.0%
A ticket from the left	1.9%
A ticket from Hamas	8.5%
A ticket from Fateh	26.1%
A national independent ticket	8.2%
An Islamic independent ticket	2.9%
I will not participate in the elections	19.1%
I have not decided yet	21.7%

If elections are conducted in the Palestinian Territories at the present time, do you expect that they will be fair and unbiased? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Yes	54.6%	37.2%	48.2%
No	36.6%	45.6%	39.9%
No opinion/Don't know	8.8%	17.2%	11.9%

Which of the following political affiliations do you support? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
People's Party	0.7%	1.6%	1.0%
Democratic Front	0.5%	1.4%	0.8%
Islamic Jihad	0.5%	3.4%	1.5%
Fateh	37.2%	37.0%	37.1%
Hamas	7.4%	14.6%	10.1%
Fida	0.0%	0.2%	0.1%
Popular Front	2.8%	3.4%	3.0%
Palestinian National Initiative	0.2%	0.8%	0.4%
I am an independent nationalist	7.7%	6.8%	7.3%
I am an independent Islamist	2.9%	5.0%	3.7%
None of the above	40.0%	22.2%	33.4%
Others	0.1%	3.6%	1.5%

At this time, what should be the top internal priority of the government? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Forming a unity government	43.2%
Improving the performance of the Palestinian economy and creating jobs	32.3%
Conducting municipal, Palestinian Legislative Council and presidential elections	15.8%
Enhancing the institutions of the Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip	7.4%
Others	0.8%
Don't know	8.8%

Do you agree/disagree with a recent statement by Palestinian officials (e.g., PM Fayyad) that the performance of Palestinian institutions improved significantly during the last two years? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Agree	32.6%
To some extent	32.9%
Disagree	27.5%
Don't know	7.0%

In general, how do you rate the overall performance of President Mahmoud Abbas? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Good	55.2%
Average	29.2%
Poor	14.2%
Don't know	1.4%

In general, how do you rate the overall performance of Prime Minister Fayyad? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Good	40.9%
Average	36.4%
Poor	19.6%
Don't know	3.1%

In general, how do you rate the overall performance of Ismael Haniyah? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Good	20.1%
Average	37.6%
Poor	35.4%
Don't know	6.9%

If you had to choose the next prime minister for a national unity government from the following candidates, who would you choose? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

S. Fayyad	31.7%
Mustafa Margouthi	15.9%
I. Haniyeh	13.3%
Munib Masri	7.1%
Nabil Shaath	3.3%
Jamal Al Khudari	3.2%
Other	3.3%
Not sure	22.3%

Do you believe that there is a need for a new political party between Hamas and Fateh? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Yes	36.4%
To some extent	19.8%
No	39.8%
Don't know	3.9%

In your opinion, when should local elections be held? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Immediately	13.3%
Within six months	18.1%
As soon as Fatah and Hamas have reconciled	58.6%
Elections should remain on hold	5.1%
Don't know	4.9%

In your opinion, when should national (Presidential and Palestinian Legislative Council) elections be held? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Immediately	12.8%
Within six months	18.4%
As soon as Fatah and Hamas have reconciled	59.6%
Elections should remain on hold	4.4%
Don't know	4.8%

If Palestinian Legislative Council elections took place today and the following lists were running, which one would you vote for? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Fatah	12.8%
Hamas	18.4%
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)	59.6%
Al Mubadara	3.0
Palestinian People's Party (PPP)	1.4%
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)	1.3%
Third Way	0.9%
Islamic Jihad	0.9%
Feda	0.3%
Popular Struggle	0.2%
Hizb Tahreer	0.2%
Other	2.8%
undecided	21.5%
I will not vote	15.1%

Now I will give you a different list of leaders. For each list, please tell us who do you trust the most? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Leader	West Bank	Gaza	Total
M. Abbas	42.9%	29.8%	38.0%
Marwan Bargouthi	16.7%	33.3%	22.9%
Salam Fayyad	4.8%	6.7%	5.5%
Nabil Shaath	1.1%	5.1%	2.6%
M. Dahlan	0.5%	3.8%	1.8%
Nasar Al Qudwi	0.9%	0.9%	0.9%
Jibril Rojoub	0.7%	0.2%	0.5%
Ahmad Qurie	0.5%	0.2%	0.4%
None of the above	21.2%	18.2%	20.1%
Don't know	10.7%	1.8%	7.3%

Of the following list of leaders, who do you trust the most? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Ismael Haniyeh	19.5%
Naser Al Din Alshaer	9.0%
Khaled Mashaal	5.2%
Aziz Duweik	4.7%
Jamal Al Khudari	3.3%
Hassan Yusef	2.8%
Mahmoud Zahhar	2.6%
Ahmad Bahar	0.8%
None of the above	38.7%
Don't know	13.4%

Of the following list of leaders, who do you trust the most? (AWRAD, October 13, 2011)

Salam Fayyad	24.7%
Mustafa Barghouthi	22.7%
Ahmad Saadat	9.4%
Hanan Ashrawi	6.4%
Basam Salhi	2.0%
Qais Abdelkarim	0.6%
Zahira Kamal	0.3%
Ahmad Majdalni	0.3%
None of the above	23.7%
Don't know	10.1%

Prisoner-Gilad Shalit Exchange 2011 ^top

Who won more out of the deal, Hamas or Israel? (Palestinian Center for Policy & Survey Research, December 17, 2011)

Hamas	~75%
Israel	22%

Has your support for Hamas increased or decreased after the exchange deal? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

increased	37%
decreased	10%

Was Hamas right to agree to Israel's condition that stipulated that top leaders like Ahmad Sa'dat, Ibrahim Hamid and Marwan Barghouti would be excluded from the deal? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

yes	55%
no - Hamas should not have agreed to this condition	40%

Was Hamas right to agree to Israel's condition that a number of released prisoners would be deported? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

yes	53%
no - Hamas should not have agreed to this condition	43%

Are you content with the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached between Israel and Hamas which will lead to the release of Gilad Shalit in return for releasing 1027 Palestinian prisoners some of whom are sentenced to long term imprisonment? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	67.7%
No	11.0%
No opinion/Don't know	2.9%

Do you think that the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached between Israel and Hamas will increase the popularity of Hamas among Palestinians? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Yes	75.5%	54.4%	67.7%
No	19.7%	35.0%	25.3%
No opinion/Don't know	4.8%	10.6%	6.9%

Do you think that the exchange of prisoners agreement that was reached between Israel and Hamas will speed the reconciliation process? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

Yes	63.5%
No	27.0%
No opinion/Don't know	9.5%

Why do you think that Israel agreed to conclude a prisoners exchange deal at this particular time? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

To curb the current internal waves of protests and strikes	49.2%
Because of the conditions that prevailed after the Arab Spring	16.8%
Because the PLO submitted a bid for the recognition of the Palestinian State in the UN	23.7%
No opinion/Don't know	10.2%

Why do you think that Hamas agreed to conclude a prisoners exchange deal at this particular time? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

To obtain a committment from Israel not to assassinate Hamas leaders if they leave Damascus	15.3%
To increase its popularity among the Palestinian People	40.6%
Because of the conditions that prevailed after the Arab Springs	12.6%
Because the PLO submitted a bid for the recognition of the Palestinian State in the UN	15.9%
No opinion/Don't know	15.5%

Palestinian Society ^top

In your view, is there a press freedom in the West Bank? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	23.0%
To some extent	43.1%
No	30.6%
Don't know/ no answer	3.3%

In your view, is there a press freedom in the Gaza Strip? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	16.2%
To some extent	33.8%
No	40.4%
Don't know/ no answer	9.5%

In your view, can people in the West Bank today criticize the authority without fear? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	30.2%
No	66.0%
Don't know/ no answer	3.8%

In your view, can people in the Gaza Strip today criticize the authority without fear? (PSR, April 3, 2012)

Yes	21.9%
No	67.5%
Don't know/ no answer	10.6%

As far as you are concerned, do you think that 2012 will be better, or worse, than 2011? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
better	64.4%
worse	12.6%
same	22.4%
don't know/ no response	0.6%

Compared with this year, in your opinion, will next year be a year of economic prosperity, economic difficulty or remain the same? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
economic prosperity	20.6%
economic difficulty	46.5%
remain the same	31.9%
don't know/ no response	1.0%

As far as you are concerned, do you personally feel happy, unhappy or neither happy nor unhappy about your life? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
happy	31.5%
unhappy	24.6%
neither happy nor unhappy	43.0%
don't know/ no response	0.9%

Generally speaking, do you think immigration including bringing in foreign workers is a good thing or a bad thing for this country? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
good	28.6%
bad	46.0%
neither good nor bad	24.1%
don't know/ no response	1.3%

Irrespective of whether you attend a place or worship or not, would you say you are _____? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
a religious person	65.2%
not a religious person	28.8%
a convinced atheist	3.8%
don't know/ no response	2.2%

Have there been times in the last twelve months when you and/or your family have not had enough to eat? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
often	17.3%
sometimes	34.3%
rarely	21.1%
never	21.6%
don't know/ no response	5.8%

During the last 12 months, did you do any volunteer work; that is devoting time to a job for a non-for-profit organization without receiving any wage or salary in exchange? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
yes	43.0%
no	49.0%
don't know/ no response	8.0%

Do you think the world next year (2012) will be more peaceful (with fewer wars and terror) or less peaceful than the year which has just passed (2011); or will there be no difference? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
more peaceful	26.4%
less peaceful	29.7%
no difference	40.9%
don't know/ no response	3.0%

So far as you are concerned, do you think that in 2012, economy related protests and industrial disputes in Palestine will increase, decrease, or remain the same? (PCPO, December 31, 2011)

	Palestinian Territories
increase	31.9%
decrease	14.5%
remain the same	29.9%
don't know/ no response	23.7%

How would you rate conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip
good or very good	36%	26%
bad or very bad	30%	47%

Is there corruption in the PA institutions in the West Bank and/or in the institutions of the dismissed government in the Gaza Strip? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip
Yes	70%	60%

Is there press freedom in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip
Yes or to some extent	67%	52%
No	28%	36%

Can people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip criticize authority there without fear? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip
Yes	35%	24%

Is it safe and secure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip
Yes	59%	69%

Do you seek immigration to other countries? (PSR, December 17, 2011)

	September 2011	December 2011
Yes - West Bank	28%	24%
Yes - Gaza Strip	49%	43%

Do the current political, security and economic circumstances compel you to desire emigrating abroad? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Yes	20.4%	46.4%	30.0%
No	78.9%	46.4%	66.9%
No opinion/Don't know	0.7%	7.2%	3.1%

Are you worried about your life under the present circumstances? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Yes	30.3%	48.0%	36.8%
No	69.6%	46.6%	61.1%
No opinion/Don't know	0.1%	5.4%	2.1%

Are you pessimistic or optimistic towards the general Palestinian situation at this stage? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Optimistic	61.9%	38.6%	53.3%
Pessimistic	35.9%	50.2%	41.1%
No opinion/Don't know	2.2%	11.2%	5.5%

Under the present circumstances, do you feel that you, your family and your properties are safe? (Al-Najah poll, October 17, 2011)

	West Bank	Gaza Strip	Total
Yes	41.6%	21.2%	34.1%
May be	31.0%	41.0%	34.7%
No	27.3%	34.8%	30.1%
No opinion/Don't know	0.1%	3.0%	1.2%

Palestinian Attitudes On The Statehood Bid, Peace Prospects, Internal Politics, & Society (October 2011)

(Updated February 2015)

Return to Palestinian Opinion Polls: Table of Contents

UN Palestinian Statehood Bid - 2011 top

Peace Process/Negotiations top

Internal Politics top

Prisoner-Gilad Shalit Exchange 2011 top

Palestinian Society top

UN Palestinian Statehood Bid - 2011 ^top

Peace Process/Negotiations ^top

Internal Politics ^top

Prisoner-Gilad Shalit Exchange 2011 ^top

Palestinian Society ^top