RAMALLAH Ñ For the first time, a Palestinian majority has expressed
support for the Islamic opposition to Yasser Arafat, a U.S.-backed opinion poll found.
In addition, a majority both opposed a ceasefire with Israel and favored the continuation of suicide bombing attacks.
More Palestinian respondents supported Islamic
insurgency groups than the ruling Fatah movement. Fatah is led by
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, and until the latest poll
has always topped the opposition.
The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research said Fatah's
popularity has declined sharply over the past month, Middle East Newsline reported.
In a survey of 1,320
adults conducted from between Aug. 18 and 20, 26 percent of those polled
supported Fatah.
In contrast, 27 percent of the respondents expressed support for Hamas
and Islamic Jihad. This marked a two percent increase in support for the
Islamic opposition groups since a survey in May.
The center has received funds from the State Department and other
Western agencies to conduct opinion polls. The United States has called for
reform within the PA and last week officials said Arafat rejected
Washington's ideas for a restructuring of the regime.
The poll also reported a Palestinian majority for Hamas positions. They
include the group's rejection of a Palestinian ceasefire with Israel and the
continuation of suicide bombings. In all, 53 percent opposed a ceasefire and
52 percent supported suicide attacks against civilians.
Support for Arafat also was reported to have declined. Thirty four
percent expressed support for Arafat and 84 percent called for reform of his
regime. This includes 69 percent support for the appointment or election of
a prime minister.
On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres asserted that Arafat
has been weakened. But Peres said the Palestinians can not come to any
agreement without Arafat's approval.
In Gaza City, the PA has banned local and foreign news personnel from
photographing and publishing pictures of children receiving military
training. The ban includes photographs of children carrying weapons or
dressed in military-style uniforms.
The ban came after Israeli and foreign journalists reported on PA and
Hamas training of hundreds of children to join the Palestinian insurgency
war against Israel.