The new prime minister made a first step on the path of forming a new government by engaging in negotiations with the parliamentary coalitions in an attempt to make them join the new government. The general attitude, however, of the second largest parliamentary coalition (Fateh) tends to refrain from participating in a government led by Hamas.

The international position concerning the winning of Hamas is reflected negatively on the international aid given to the Palestinian Authority. Such reality threatens of a difficult financial crisis, the signs of which became apparent through the delay in paying the salaries of the employees of the public sector.

The Results:

Following are the results of the 19^th Palestinian Public Opinion Poll conducted by the Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah National University during the period from March 9 to 11, 2006.

The University sponsors all polls conducted by its Center.

This poll undertakes the expectations and attitudes of the Palestinian people towards the new PLC, the formation of the new government and its agenda, in addition to political sympathies and other issues.

The sample included 1361 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 501 persons from the Gaza Strip. The sample was drawn randomly and the margin of error is about ±3%; still 8.8% 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 represent by any means the opinion of An-Najah National University.

15. 58.5% from among respondents are content with the results of the legislative elections

16. 48.2% from among respondents believe that the new Legislative Council is fully capable of performing its duties.

17. 63.7% from among respondents believe that the members of the new Legislative Council are efficient.

18. 69.4% from among respondents are content with the candidates who won in their electoral circles.

19. 33.4% from among respondents know the names of all representatives of their electoral circle.

20. 84.9% from among respondents have not received an invitation from the new LC members to discuss general concerns.

21. 82.8% from among respondents say that the major achievement they like the New PLC to accomplish is freeing prisoners, and imposing law and order with a 81.4%.

22. 33.9% from among respondents say that Hamas has the right to keep the major positions in the PLC for itself since it is the largest block; 8.7% say Hamas does not have that right.

23. 73% from among respondents say that Hamas has the desire to form a government in which all political blocks in the PLC are represented; 20.1% say the opposite.

24. 74.9% from among respondents reject the formation of a new government whose ministers are solely from Hamas.

25. 87.7% from among respondents support the formation of a government which includes all the political affiliations represented in the PLC.

26. 34.8% from among respondents are against a governmental agenda which reassures its commitment to all international agreements that the PLO committed itself to.

27. 46.2% from among respondents believe that the agenda of the new government will respond positively to the international demands.

28. 35.3% from among respondents say that the agenda of the new government will be in harmony with the presidential agenda.

29. 76.1% from among respondents support the participation of Fateh in the new government.

30. 70% from among respondents say that the participation of Fateh in the new government would serve its interests.

31. 61.1% from among respondents say that the new government will be capable of drawing international aid to the Palestinian Authority.

32. 71.1% from among respondents support a joining of Hamas to the PLO.

33. 69.5% from among respondents say that the joining of Hamas to the PLO will serve Hamas' interest.

34. 33.6% from among respondents say that if Hamas joins the PLO, it will be relieved from a direct recognition of Israel.

35. 69.3% from among respondents say that the Palestinian Political system will be served if Hamas joins the PLO.

36. 54.7% from among respondents support the recognition of Israel by Hamas if Israel agrees to withdraw from the 1967 occupied territories.

37. 78.3% from among respondents believe that restoring dignity to the PLO is a necessary matter.

38. 25% from among respondents say that the USA is not concerned with a successful Palestinian government led by Hamas, 37.2% say that the European Union is not concerned, 55.5% say Russia is not concerned and 55.7% say that the Arab countries are not concerned.

39. 78% from among respondents believe that the new Palestinian government will be able to fight corruption in public institution, 69.8% say that it will be capable of eradicating all forms of security outlaw in the Palestinian streets. 65.5 % say that it will be capable of improving the economic situation, 65.1% say that it will be capable of alleviating poverty and unemployment, and 78% say that it will be capable of upgrading the level of health and educational services.

40. From among respondents expect that the performance of the following institutions will be "good" with the following percentages:

The new government 52%

The Legislative Council 54.4%

The Judicious System 58.9%

The security apparatuses 48.5%.

41. 46.9% from among respondents see that the state of democracy under the new government will be "good".

42. 49.4% from among respondents say that the political system in Palestine is heading towards building a democratic system.

43. 71.7% from among respondents say that the coming new government will respect human rights.

44. 68% from among the respondents say that the coming government will respect the freedom of press in Palestine.

45. 17.4% from among respondents say that under the coming new government, they will not be able to criticize the policies of the authority openly and without fear.

46. 42.1% from among respondents believe that the Palestinian social system gives them the freedom to adopt any religion or thought they desire.

47. 76.6% from among respondents do not feel safe neither for themselves nor for their families and properties.

48. 64.8% from among respondents say that their place of habitation lacks a public health centre which works round the hour.

49. 90.8% from among respondents say that they do not find the medications prescribed to them by governmental pharmacies.

50. 49.3% from among respondents assess cleanliness in hospitals as inadequate; 59.4% say medical care is inadequate; 71.6% say the availability of medical equipment is inadequate.

51. As for political affiliation respondents give the following results:

Do you know the names of all the representatives (PLC members) who won in your electoral circle?

Since the end of the elections, have you received an invitation from the PLC members to attend a meeting for the purpose of discussing general concerns?

On the general level, what is the main task that you hope the new Legislative Council will accomplish?

Some say that the main positions inside the PLC have been occupied by The Reform and Change block since it is the largest, some say that it has the right to do so, others say it does not, what is your opinion?

Do you support or reject Hamas' joining the PLO?

Do you think that Hamas' joining of the PLO serves the interest of Hamas?

Poll No. 19

Attachment: Poll19results.doc (0.28 MB)

Hussein Ahmad hussein596@yahoo.com

Sunday, March 12, 2006