Polls

Optimism about the hunger strike and discontent with the positions of the institutions and leadership: 88 percent believed that the Palestinian political prisoners would achieve some or all of their demands. Two thirds were dissatisfied with the performance of President Abbas as well as Hamas towards the strike. A majority believed that the strike would revive the Palestinian cause at the international level, while others believed that it would strengthen the profile and influence of Marwan Barghouthi.

Negotiations and Trump’s Visit: A majority viewed President Abbas’s visit to Washington and that of President Trump to the region as more symbolic than leading to real change. Two thirds of the respondents believed that Abbas’s visit to Washington was unsuccessful. A majority believed that Trump’s visit had no or little importance to Palestinians. At the same time, Palestinians continue to be divided around the resumption of negotiations,

Local Elections: Local elections were carried out in the West Bank on the 13th of May. The majority of voters expressed non-political motives for their participation. 45 percent viewed their participation as a civic personality while 15 percent viewed it as an opportunity to support their family candidate. Refraining from voting was mostly due to the absence of any list or the fact there was only one list running in many communities. In addition, many registered voters believed that the competing lists did not offer real change or that the results of the elections were predetermined.

PA’s cuts to public sector salaries and services in Gaza: The majority of respondents view these cuts as politically motivated either to pressure Hamas into negotiating a solution to the ongoing division or to force Hamas to take full responsibility for Gaza. 51 percent oppose the continuation of these cuts.