Survey: Gaza pullout a result of terror

Fifty-eight percent of Palestinians believe Israel's withdrawal from Gaza a result of the armed struggle, a Palestinian survey by Nablus university says

Ali Waked |Published: 09.20.05 , 00:03

Some 58 percent of Palestinians believe Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is a direct result of the armed struggle, a Palestinian survey published Monday says.

While 22 percent say the pullout was an Israeli unilateral decision, only 15 percent believe it was the result of Palestinian diplomatic actions.

Some 1,360 people were questioned for the survey, conducted by An-Najah University in Nablus.

According to the study, 53 percent believe the Palestinian Authority should not gather weapons from the various factions; 42.5 percent say the PA must disarm the organizations.

However, 54 percent say the only necessary weapons needed in Gaza should be held by the PA.

An optimistic future

Those polled expressed optimism for Gaza's future following Israel's pullout - 71.5 percent said their economic situation would improve, while 47 percent fear Gaza will become an open-air prison. 44 percent believe Gaza will become a free and open territory.

Notably, 62 percent oppose all armed action against Israel, and 59 percent say they would only support action against Israel should it maintain control of the border crossings.

A majority of 80 percent believes Israel will continue to control the crossings and that the withdrawal was not a complete pullout.

Only 48 percent say the PA is serious in its intention to take control of the current security anarchy, while 44 percent think otherwise. Sixty-six percent say Palestinian security forces are part of the anarchy.

Primary goal to merge security forces

The survey defined two main political blocs - one headed by the Fatah party and factions belonging to the PLO, and the second controlled by Hamas.

About 44.4 percent said they would vote for the first bloc, while 33 percent would support Hamas.

The Palestinian public expects a sweeping majority support for PA leader Mahmoud Abbas in his ability o control the security establishment and fight corruption – 60 percent believe Abbas' primary task is to merge the Palestinian security forces, while 48 percent say the secondary goal should be to combat corruption.