Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., March 19, 2008 Adar2 13, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (Reuters) Last update - 04:14 18/03/2008 Survey: Haniyeh more popular than Abbas after IDF Gaza raids By Reuters Tags: Hamas, Fatah, Israel  Israel Defense Forces attacks in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have boosted the popularity of the Islamist group's leader Ismail Haniyeh among Palestinians in that territory and in the West Bank, according to a poll released Monday. The survey by the West Bank-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed that if new presidential elections were held, Haniyeh would receive 47 percent of the vote compared with 46 percent for President Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah faction. The figures represented a sharp strengthening of Haniyeh's popularity. He served as prime minister in the Hamas-led government Abbas dismissed after Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Fatah in June. Advertisement But the survey also found that Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, imprisoned in Israel and seen as a possible Abbas successor, would defeat Haniyeh by a clear margin. The poll gave him 57 percent of the vote, compared to Haniyeh's 38 percent. The center's previous poll, in December, gave Gaza-based Haniyeh just 37 percent of a potential presidential vote compared with 56 percent for Abbas, whose peace efforts with Israel are opposed by Hamas. The latest poll was conducted shortly after Israel ended an offensive in the Gaza Strip in early March that killed more than 120 Palestinians, almost half of them were identified as civilians. Israel said the operation was aimed at stopping cross-border rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. According to the survey, Hamas's breaching of the Gaza Strip's Rafah border crossing with Egypt in January also contributed to Haniyeh's popularity among Palestinians. "These developments managed to present Hamas as successful in breaking the siege and as a victim of Israeli attacks," commentary accompanying the poll said. Lack of progress in Abbas's peace negotiations with Israel also gave Hamas a boost, the poll indicated. The survey found that if new parliamentary elections were to take place, Hamas would receive 35 percent of the vote and Fatah 42 percent, compared to 46 percent for Fatah and 34 percent for Hamas in an opinion poll in January. The current survey polled 1,270 Palestinians in Arab East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It had a margin of error of three percentage points. Hamas and Fatah far apart ahead of Yemeni mediation bid Meanwhile, delegations from rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah will travel to Yemen this week to discuss reconcilation, but the groups' leaders will not attend the talks, officials said on Monday. The groups will meet separately with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but the absence of Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshal and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah casts doubt on any success in ending hostilities between the factions. Hamas Islamists routed Fatah forces to seize control of the Gaza Strip in June. After the takeover, Abbas dismisssd a Hamas-led government and appointed a new Western-backed cabinet in the occupied West Bank. Officials loyal to Abbas said the Yemeni initiative calls on Hamas to hand over control of Gaza and agree to early presidential and parliamentary elections, conditions endorsed by Abbas but rejected by Hamas. Meshal was initially expected to lead the Islamist group's delegation, but a Hamas spokesman said the Damascus-based leader's deputy, Moussa Abu Marzouq, would be sent instead. The spokesman gave no reason for the change. Senior Abbas aide Azzam al-Ahmed will head the Fatah team. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Hamas would only be willing to discuss reconciliation with Fatah in a "non-conditional dialogue". "We will respect any agreements that would result from that non-conditional and open meeting, if it takes place," Barhoum said. Related articles: Next IAF chief: IDF's entry into Gaza will stop rocket manufacture Poll: Palestinians prefer Fatah gov't over Hamas-led cabinet 10 Palestinians killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing Gaza offensive Bookmark to del.icio.us   My three homelands French Vogue chose Lizzie Doron as one of Israel's influential authors. President Barghouti Jailed Tanzim leader says he's considering running in next PA presidential elections.   1.   "Popular" and soon DEAD 16:06  |  GZLives 17/03/08   2.   Well, what can you do 16:23  |  Chi 17/03/08   3.   So? Germans were supportive of Nazis until May 1945 16:33  |  Absolute Sweden 17/03/08   4.   This is a sick society 16:54  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 17/03/08   5.   Go Hamas oo! The evil state cannot defeat you! 17:09  |  lakshmi 17/03/08   6.   Let`s make Hamas the 100% choice of the people! 17:23  |  Mahmoud 17/03/08   7.   lakshmi.....yes, indeed 17:35  |  Lynn 17/03/08   8.   Israel is Hamas`s primary recruiter. 17:37  |  Natallie Durson 17/03/08   9.   #1 - Good Solution 17:37  |  Realist 17/03/08   10.   # 6 Mahmoud....I take it you don`t care for Hamas? 17:37  |  Lynn 17/03/08   11.   Yeaaah!! Go Hamas, GO! More dead pals is what lakshmi wants! 17:39  |  Chi 17/03/08   12.   What the Polls Really Show 17:42  |  Fred 17/03/08   13.   Polls are way off 17:44  |  Aaron 17/03/08   14.   Whatever happened to Democracy? 18:43  |  Sadiq M 17/03/08   15.   popularity 18:53  |  english jew 17/03/08   16.   and uncovers fatah collaboration with israel 19:02  |  as 17/03/08   17.   14 Sadiq M,the Crime Syndicate uses the word `democracy` 19:02  |  lakshmi 17/03/08   18.   hamas leadres r martyrs fatah leadrs r collaboraters 19:04  |  kad 17/03/08   19.   Collective What?? 19:25  |  steve dill 17/03/08   20.   Hamas and the FISH 19:25  |  wiseman 17/03/08   21.   what a joke 19:42  |  Esteban 17/03/08   22.   The boneheads of Israel shoot themselves in the foot again 19:55  |  Clickfool 17/03/08   23.   To 22 Clickfool the villiage idiot 20:25  |  leo 17/03/08   24.   dynamics of a "War Presidency" 21:28  |  Pablo B 17/03/08   25.   Like Duh Dude! 22:20  |  Mark Lincoln 17/03/08   26.   Hamas the most popular ... 23:07  |  Mulsim 17/03/08   27.   They got what they asked for! 23:30  |  ron 17/03/08   28.   People people ... lets put down the hash pipes 23:38  |  GZLives 17/03/08   29.   25. isn`t democracy graqnd? you got olmert and pals got Haniyeh 00:04  |  eat your heart out 18/03/08   30.   Every time Hamas attacks and Israel 00:08  |  Bobby 18/03/08   31.   Hamas is the most popular .... 00:16  |  Muslim 18/03/08   32.   Hamas v Fatah 01:24  |  Ilya 18/03/08   33.   FREE M. Bargoutie for G. Shalit. 02:14  |  Peaceman 18/03/08   34.   #24 Mark Lincoln 02:53  |  wiseman 18/03/08   35.   Haniyeh vs Abbas 03:12  |  Mary 18/03/08   36.   Hamas Will Win 03:55  |  Realist 18/03/08   37.   Durson (8) 04:23  |  jjvanka 18/03/08   38.   Leo (23) 04:39  |  jjvanka 18/03/08   39.   Steve (19) 04:45  |  jjvanka 18/03/08   40.   #14;Sadiq M The Truth about Democracy 05:06  |  Doc Holliday 18/03/08   41.   #5 05:09  |  geoff 18/03/08   42.   I wish Hamas only one victory. Over Fatah! 05:29  |  Chaim 18/03/08   43.   Looks like Israel may have "dodged the bullet" 05:31  |  Voice of Reason 18/03/08   44.   Popularity 05:56  |  Paul 18/03/08   45.   #3 - Now, support Israel!! 06:54  |  Niva dos santos 18/03/08   46.   THE FUTURE WOULD BE IN THE HAND OF IRANIANS 07:03  |  indrajaya 18/03/08   47.   Marry u`r absolutly right 07:12  |  anwar 19/03/08   48.   INTRAJAYA 07:18  |  NEWDELHI 19/03/08

Today Online Tom Segev: Merkel slams Qassams, but ignores Israel's actions Responses: 82 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal for long-term Gaza truce Responses: 25 High Court closes off use of West Bank route to Palestinians Responses: 34 Study finds Israeli Jews increasingly racist toward Arabs Responses: 28 Security forces fear double Hezbollah attack in Israel, abroad Responses: 9 Rosner's Domain McCain rep to Jewish crowd: Christian right 'serious problem' Were Shakespeare's Plays Written By A Jewish Woman? (WTR) Rosner's Mailbox: I used to believe that you just hated Hillary Poll: Is the "road map" still relevant? Did Iraq have ties to Al Qaeda? (WTR) More Headlines 10:05 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal for long-term Gaza truce 10:07 Security forces fear double Hezbollah revenge attack in Israel, abroad 10:10 High Court closes off use of West Bank route to Palestinians 10:09 Study: Israeli Jews becoming increasingly racist toward Arabs 10:09 New Meretz chair: We won't join Olmert's government 10:00 U.S. slams Switzerland for signing huge gas deal with Iran 09:47 ANALYSIS: Merkel condemns Qassams, but ignores Israel's actions 10:06 Multidenominational rabbinical school to graduate its first class 08:09 Tel Aviv setting up tent city for African refugees 05:48 Merkel to Knesset: Germany will always stand by Israel 05:58 Charities dependent on dollar donations fear for future 08:04 Visa requirement for Russian tourists to be eliminated 02:56 Rubinstein Piano Competition / A perfect Haydn in stage II 08:51 U.S. presidential hopeful McCain set to meet PM, senior ministers Previous Editions Select Day 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer READY FOR PURIM? BUT - Who Will Guard The Hamentasch? Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM FREE JEWISH HISTORY COURSE Berel Wein's best selling lectures. 5000 Years in Five hours /CD/MP3 Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved