72% of Palestinians believe Hamas' decision to attack Israel on October 7 was justified, even considering the Israeli response, according to a poll published this evening by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Surveys by Dr. Khalil Shikaki.
22% of all Palestinians (12% in Judea and Samaria, 37% in Gaza) said the decision was wrong.
In Judea and Samaria more justification than in Gaza, photo: Palestinian Institute for Policy and Surveys
According to the survey, 82% of Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria viewed the decision favorably, and 57% in the Gaza Strip. When asked what Hamas' motive was for launching the attack, 81% of Palestinians (89% in Judea and Samaria, 69% in Gaza) pointed to "settler attacks on Al-Aqsa and Palestinians and to release prisoners." Only 14% of all Palestinians said it was an Iranian collusion.
War crimes? Only 10% believe Hamas has carried out such activities, Photo: Palestinian Center for Policy and Surveys
It was also found that 85% of the Palestinians had not watched the horror videos perpetrated by Hamas and Gaza terrorists in the communities near the Gaza Strip – which apparently helps the enormous denial of the atrocities: 90% of the respondents said that they do not believe that the atrocities were committed by Hamas members.
95% of Palestinians believe that Israel committed war crimes during the war, but only 10% believe that Hamas also committed such crimes.
70% of Palestinians in the West Bank believe Hamas will win the war – unlike Gazans, only half of whom are confident of the terror organization's success. 1% of Palestinian residents of the West Bank think Israel will win – among Gazans this figure rises to 31%.
88% of Palestinians believe Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas should step down.
Hamas is getting stronger, Fatah is weakening, photo: Palestinian Center for Policy and Surveys
The poll also revealed an increase in support for Hamas. When asked which party they would support if the elections were held, 43% of Palestinians chose Hamas, compared with 22% in a poll conducted three months ago. Fatah enjoys 17% support, compared with 26% in the previous poll. 28% did not support either organization or gave no answer, 12% pointed to other forces.
The head of the institute, Dr. Shikaki, said that Gazans tended to be more critical of Hamas, adding that support for Hamas usually increases during the hot stages of the conflict, but then decreases. He said that even now most Palestinians do not support Hamas.
The survey, conducted between November 22 and December 3, included 1,231 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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