Poll: Small majority for prisoners' document

New poll published by Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shows close call between those who would vote for and against the prisoners' document
Ali Waked

Anyone who expected sweeping support for the prisoners' document in the Palestinian street will have to reconsider their expectations following a new poll released by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research head, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, showing that there is doubt whether Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas can win approval for the document.

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The most interesting figure in the survey addressed the intentions of those who said they would come and vote in the referendum. Of those, only 47 percent said they would vote for the prisoners' document, while 44 percent said they opposed the document.

The poll, held last week, and which included 1,270 interviewees, found that 74 percent of respondents support the document with all of its clauses, compared with 23 percent who opposed it.

However, only 53 percent of those asked said they wanted the document to be put to a national referendum, while 43 percent said they opposed the vote.

Boycott of referendum

Some 44 percent of Palestinians asked said they would boycott the referendum, if told to so by Hamas. 50 percent said they would take part despite Hamas' stance.

65 percent said they would support steps against the Hamas government if it rejects the document after it passed a national referendum.

If the document is rejected, 60 percent of those asked believed that Abbas and Fatah would not accept Hamas' stance and platform.