Amaney Jamal, dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, discusses a recent survey revealing low support for Hamas and their leader among Palestinians. The podcast explores the declining confidence in existing Palestinian regimes, viability of Israel's objective to eliminate Hamas, proposals for extending authority over Gaza, and promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Majority of Palestinians in Gaza have little trust in Hamas government.
Decreasing support for both Hamas and Palestinian Authority highlights the need for a viable political alternative and addressing underlying issues.
Deep dives
Palestinian Public Opinion on Hamas
According to recent surveys conducted by Amane Jamal, about 67% of Palestinians in Gaza expressed no or little trust in the Hamas government. Additionally, only 24% said they would vote for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in elections. These findings suggest that Hamas had very little support among the Palestinian population in Gaza prior to the recent conflict.
Declining Confidence in Palestinian Authority
Public opinion polls show a declining confidence in both the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and the Hamas government in Gaza. Factors such as economic challenges, including inflation, cost of living, and food shortages, have contributed to the loss of trust and confidence. In Gaza, three-fourths of the population reported food insecurity. Corruption and mismanagement by the PA have also led to a loss of faith in their ability to govern effectively.
The Need for a Viable Political Alternative
With decreasing support for both Hamas and the PA, there is a need for a viable political alternative. However, the question of who could govern and bring stability to Gaza remains uncertain. While there have been proposals for the PA to extend its authority over Gaza, simply replacing Hamas with the PA without addressing the underlying issues and providing hope for a better future would likely lead to further challenges. Any governing authority would need to deliver on economic development and peaceful resolution to gain legitimacy among the population.
As the war in Gaza continues, the question of Hamas’s future has become paramount. But it has also raised questions about the years of Hamas rule in Gaza—and the group’s support among Palestinians.
Amaney Jamal is dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and co-founder of Arab Barometer, which conducts public opinion research across the Arab world.
Her most recent survey of Palestinian public opinion wrapped up on October 6—the eve of Hamas’s attack. As she wrote in a recent piece for Foreign Affairs, “The argument that the entire population of Gaza can be held responsible for Hamas’s actions is quickly discredited when one looks at the facts.”