Alarming Poll of Palestinians Finds Disturbing Approval for Hamas’ Attack on Israel, Rising Support For Terror Group

Share Tweet By Billy Hallowell Editor
December 14, 2023

A Palestinian polling firm conducting research in Gaza and the West Bank yielded some shocking results in a recent survey, finding widespread denial that “Hamas has committed atrocities against Israeli civilians” and an increase in Hamas’ “popularity.”

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The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) conducted the survey from Nov. 22-Dec. 2, 2023, during a brief ceasefire a timeframe unfolding more than a month after Hamas’ deadly terror attack on Israel and Israel’s massive military response.

“The sample size of this poll is 1,231 adults, of whom 750 were interviewed face to face in the West Bank and 481 in the Gaza Strip in 121 randomly selected locations,” a press release explains. “The sample is representative of the residents of the two areas.”

According to PSR, support for Hamas more than tripled in the West Bank, with a statistically insignificant increase in Gaza as well. The increase in support for Hamas in the West Bank exploded up from 12% in September to 44% in this latest poll.

Meanwhile, support in Gaza increased from 38% to 42%.

Interestingly, the majority still do not back Hamas. Still, residents’ views on the Oct. 7 terror attack were quite stunning. The majority 72% of respondents said the terror attack was “a correct decision,” with just 22% calling it incorrect.

These proportions were higher in the West Bank (82%) versus Gaza (57%) regarding those who believed the decision was correct given the outcome thus far.

Meanwhile, views on the motivation for the attack were also fascinating. While 81% said they believe it was a “response to settler attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and on Palestinian citizens and for the release of prisoners from Israeli prisons,” just 14% said it was due to an “Iranian plot,” according to PSR.

Meanwhile, just 10% of those surveyed believe Hamas committed war crimes, while 95% said Israel is guilty of such infractions.

It should be noted that the vast majority 85% reported not seeing videos showing Hamas’ horrific acts against Israeli civilians, with just 7% reporting they believe Hamas is guilty of having committed such atrocities.

Desperation also seemed to be running rampant in Gaza, with just 44% of respondents stating they had enough food and water to get through a day or two. The majority 56% reported not having these necessary resources.

And 64% reported death or injury to a member of their family during the current war.

The vast majority of respondents also rejected President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA), with around 90% calling for his resignation. This adds complexities to Israel’s goal of rooting out Hamas and Western aspirations of seeing the PA take control of Gaza.

“The PA administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and has governed Gaza until a takeover by Hamas militants in 2007,” the Associated Press explained. “The Palestinians have not held elections since 2006 when Hamas won a parliamentary majority.”

You can read the full results here.

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