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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 17:58 17/12/2007 Poll: Support for Hamas stable despite worsening conditions in Gaza By The Associated Press Tags: Poll, Abbas, Hamas, Gaza A lack of confidence in recently renewed peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians has kept Palestinian support for Hamas stable despite worsening conditions in the Gaza Strip, according to a poll released Monday. However, the Islamic militant group's popularity lags far behind that of the rival Fatah movement, said the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, an independent polling agency. Poverty in Gaza has deepened since Hamas wrested control of Gaza from the pro-Fatah security forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in June. The takeover led Israel to seal its borders with Gaza to all but humanitarian aid. Advertisement But the destitution in Gaza, where about 80 percent of the population lives under the poverty line, has not provoked a backlash against Hamas, the survey found. If new legislative elections were to be held today, Hamas would receive 31percent of the vote, while Fatah would capture 49 percent - unchanged from a September poll. "The stabilization of Hamas' popularity reflects an almost total lack of confidence in the peace process unleashed by [the] Annapolis meeting," the pollsters said. Israel and the Palestinians formally relaunched negotiations last month at an international conference in Annapolis, Maryland. A total of 1,270 adults were interviewed for the poll, which had a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Despite the disillusionment with the peace process, Abbas' approval rating continues to rise. Satisfaction with his performance rose to 50 percent from 45 percent in September, and 36 percent in June. But in a faceoff with Hamas' top leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, Abbas' lead narrowed. If the two were to vie for the presidency today, Abbas would receive 56 percent of the vote to Haniyeh's 37 percent. In September, Abbas received 59 percent to Haniyeh's 36 percent. About two-thirds of those surveyed said chances for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the next five years are slim or non-existent, compared with 70 percent who said they felt that way in June. Related articles: Poll: Palestinians back peace bid, but don't expect progress PM voices hope for peace agreement by end of 2008 R Balad to hold vote on whether to accept Israel as a Jewish state Peace Index: October 2007 / Unenthused by Annapolis Arab League to meet on summit stance as Syria mulls participation Arab ministers to meet in Cairo ahead of Annapolis conference Bookmark to del.icio.us Groundbreaking discovery Israeli research is among '50 most significant scientific breakthroughs in 2007.' Floating the PA International donors pledged $7.4 billion to help boost the PA economy .   1.   A couple of days ago during the 20th anniversary of Hamas,it was 20:55  |  lakshmi 17/12/07   2.   Reported by whom, Lakfool 21:34  |  Oddvark 17/12/07   3.   They like suffering 21:44  |  Efox 17/12/07   4.   Lakshmi 21:53  |  Arab 17/12/07   5.   EFox in NM (i.e. an outsider) 23:07  |  Omar 17/12/07   6.   THE "NO peace ever" party elected and "Support stable" 23:19  |  PETER SM 17/12/07   7.   lakshmi 23:50  |  Giora 17/12/07   8.   #1 lakshmi 00:12  |  * BEN JABO 18/12/07   9.   resistence to zion is the only option everywhere 02:22  |  Assad-u-LLAH 18/12/07

Today Online Ron Breiman: Greater Israel - Not Peace Now but Zionism Now Responses: 172 'Hava Nagila' enters race for Christmas No. 1 in Britain Responses: 124 FM Livni: Israel is committed to creating Palestinian state Responses: 195 Israelis appear twice in 50 top scientific breakthroughs Responses: 159 Moshe Arens: The IDF must move into Gaza to curb Qassams Responses: 95 Rosner's Domain Guest: The leader of the Zionist Organization of America on the Mideast post Annapolis Without the Reform movement in Israel, there's no Reform movement So, Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? Fewer Israelis say peace personally important (What to Read) More Headlines 02:07 Senior Islamic Jihad commander dies in IAF strike in Gaza City 03:29 Officials: Israel to allow construction in existing W. Bank settlements 05:27 Rights Group: IDF isn't enforcing law on troops in W. Bank, Gaza 23:57 Newly appointed U.S. Mideast envoy to visit Israel Tuesday 00:47 Remaining Jews in Russia and Ukraine are 'proud to be Jewish' 01:46 Dispensation given to ultra-Orthodox for limited Internet use 05:14 State Prosecutor urges officials to speak up in probes into IDF 01:01 Lightning strike brings new fame to giant old oak tree 21:41 French FM: Int'l donors pledge $7.4 billion to boost PA economy 02:51 Gazans: IDF restrictions deny us of animals for holiday sacrifice Previous Editions Select Day 17 dec 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec

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