Survey: Palestinians Split Over Terror Attacks

A new survey of Palestinian public opinion shows that while residents of the Palestinian Authority in Yehudah and Shomron are divided almost 50–50 on the wave of terror, support for it in Gaza is overwhelming.

The poll, published by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, found that 52 percent of Palestinians in Yehudah and Shomron want to see an end to the attacks on Israelis, while 76 percent of those in Gaza are in favor of continuing them.

Other findings showed declining support for the Palestinian leadership. The approval rating for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was down from 52.4 percent in August to 45.3 percent this month, and for PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah from 25.5 percent a year ago to 22.2 percent.

Hamas is even more unpopular, down from 22 percent last March to 16.5 percent this month.

Regarding support for the Islamic State, a weathervane for violent extremism, more than eight in 10 Palestinians (82.1 percent) oppose the Islamic State, and just over half believe IS is harming the Palestinian cause.

While most Palestinians said they favor a two-state solution, the United States was not perceived as an “honest broker.” Nearly a quarter of those polled backed the European Union as the most credible mediator, should peace talks resume, with only 4.9 percent preferring the United States.

A sample of 1,200 Palestinians was interviewed, 750 in Yehudah and Shomron, 450 from Gaza.