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Last update - 16:42 14/05/2008 Poll: Abbas' popularity has slipped dramatically since January By The Associated Press Tags: Palestinian poll, Barghouti  The approval rating of the Palestinian government in the West Bank has dropped 13 percentage points since January and President Mahmoud Abbas would have trouble winning if elections were held now, according to a poll published Wednesday. The poll was conducted at a time of growing Palestinian frustration over stalled peace talks with Israel and a stagnant economy. Negotiations on the so-called core issues - the borders of a Palestinian state, a division of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees - resumed earlier this year. Advertisement Abbas and his prime minister, Salam Fayyad, are being hurt by the lack of progress, according to pollster Nader Said. "This goes to illustrate that Palestinians will always come back to the core issues," he said. "Not to make progress on these issues will harm the stakeholders trying to achieve a solution." The survey was conducted among 1,200 Palestinians by an independent think tank, Arab World For Research & Development, and had an error margin of 3 percentage points. The poll indicated that Marwan Barghouti, an imprisoned militant leader, is by far the most popular Palestinian politician. Barghouti is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for involvement in attacks that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk. In a presidential race, Barghouti, a former leader of Abbas' Fatah movement in the West Bank, would comfortably defeat the head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, by 47 percent to 29 percent. If Abbas were to run against Haniyeh, he'd get 32 percent to Haniyeh's 34 percent. Abbas' term formally ends in January, but it's unlikely presidential elections will be held in the current political climate. Hamas seized power in Gaza by force a year ago, and Abbas says he won't talk to the Islamic militants unless they cede control there. In parliament elections, Fatah would win 47 percent of the vote, down from 53 percent in January. Hamas would come in second, with 37 percent, but has gained ground from its 32 percent rating in January. Abbas' government, meanwhile, is slipping in popularity. Only 20 percent of respondents said Prime Minister Fayyad is doing a good job, compared to 31 percent in January. Another 25 percent said the government's performance is average, compared to 27 percent in January. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Grass is greener For the cannabis-growing residents of Lebanon, recent fighting has been a blessing. Piggy bank savings Welfare Minister Herzog unveils a plan to open savings accounts for every Israeli child.   1.   We need to free Barghouti, but ... 17:20  |  Vitaly 14/05/08   2.   Marwan Barghouti is a miniature Arafat. 18:02  |  Mohammad 14/05/08   3.   A new Hamastan in making. 18:02  |  TOMY 14/05/08   4.   Abbas is a fool 19:58  |  Hanna 14/05/08   5.   All thanks to Israel 20:03  |  Jeffrey 14/05/08   6.   Palestinians, the secret joke of the Arab party 20:19  |  Rightster 14/05/08   7.   Abbas is not popular among the crazies-he isn`t 20:38  |  Sal 14/05/08   8.   hamas it is... 21:00  |  ravi 14/05/08   9.   Mohammed / Ramallah 21:09  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 14/05/08   10.   Begin was right 21:55  |  steve dill 14/05/08   11.   #2 Mohammad: Wrong Ideas! 21:58  |  Gary S. 14/05/08   12.   Abbas: Dissolve the PA & save yourself a little honor 22:48  |  Big 14/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: We owe the Palestinians a state Responses: 285 Bush, in Jerusalem: Israel is our strongest friend, ally in Mideast Responses: 149 Plan to put synagogue in heart of Arab East Jerusalem likely to be approved Responses: 89 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range Responses: 69 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is trying to change the world, for the good Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Guest: "Jews need America as much as Israel" J Street does not represent American Jews (WTR) Interview with Bush: the transcript "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Not winning the war on terror (WTR) More Headlines 20:22 Gaza rocket hits Ashkelon mall; several people hurt 22:20 PM at Peres conference: We're committed to stopping Gaza rockets strikes 21:57 Barak, other MKs visit site of bloody Ashkelon rocket attack 21:32 Messer may be witness for the prosecution in Olmert probe 12:33 As fighting flares up, Lebanese cannabis growers expect a bumper crop 16:54 Katsav's accuser requests face-to-face meet with ex-President 12:29 40 families leaving Gaza border community after member killed 16:30 Palestinians clash with IDF troops during Nakba protests 20:10 Haifa court orders five convicted rapists to pay victim NIS 1.2 million 19:27 Olmert to Bush: Israel intent on achieving peace deal this year 18:30 Kissinger at Peres conference: Timetable needed to combat global nuclear threat 23:11 Report: PM promised to build 600 homes in W. Bank settlements Previous Editions Select Day 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may

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