Poll No.154
Date: 10 May 2006

In a survey prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali about the economical and political conditions in the Palestinian territories has shown that:

• A clear majority (57.7%) evaluate the general economic condition in the Palestinian territories as "bad".
• A clear majority (61.7%) believe that the Palestinian government is incapable of providing job opportunities.
• Around one- third (33.9%) think of leaving their present residences and travel abroad.
• More than one third (38.3%) are in favor of Hamas, (31.9%) are in favor of Fatah.
• An overwhelming majority (85.3%) believe that the European and US-American financial aid contributes to the well- being of the Palestinian people.
• A clear majority (58.8%) are discontent with the quality of their lives and the lives of their families.
• An overwhelming majority (92.1%) consider the permit of Syria regarding the entry of the Palestinians to its territories as a step in the right direction.

Introduction:

In the most recent survey prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali, Director of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO), and conducted during the period from April 27th to 1st of May, 2006, a random sample consisting of (680) Palestinian adults over 18 years old representing the different demographic samples of the population living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip has been interviewed. The survey result has revealed that (57.7%) of the respondents evaluated the general economic condition in the Palestinian territories as "bad". The dominating rate thereof, specifically (84.4%), are residents of Gaza Strip, compared with (42.5%) who are residents of the West Bank.

Dr. Nabil Kukali said the survey results show undoubtedly that the Palestinian territories are passing now through an extremely difficult economic condition and are suffering from a very pressing economic crisis. He added that the suspension of the EU und US financial aid, and that of other foreign countries, amounting together to ca. one billion US-dollars annually, as well as the freezing of the monies due to the Palestinians by Israel, which are amounting to ca. US$ 60 million per month and representing almost two thirds of the local revenues, will increase the disaster of the economic conditions for the Palestinians and may cause an economic collapse within a short period of time.

Dr. Kukali emphasized the significance of providing a normal life for the Palestinian people, which, he said, is a basic issue for keeping security and stability in the region. Starvation and economic sanctions will create more chaos and violence in the region and will affect everybody without exception, leading certainly to very much undesired and dangerous conditions. This calls for the concentration of all efforts to solve this crisis and reach a solution, which may save all parties from the further deterioration of the situation, Dr. Kukali added.

The Objective of the Study:

The target of this survey is to probe the economic conditions of the Palestinian people in the shadow of the international embargo imposed on the Palestinian government led by Hamas. Furthermore, the survey aims at probing the extent of the people's support to the Palestinian parties and factions three-and-half months after the legislative elections. We examined also in this survey what Palestinians would advice their Prime Minister, Mr. Ismael Haniyyeh, to do in the prevailing crisis and cast light on the significance of the EU and US financial aid for the well-being of the Palestinian people

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