While the popular press continues to insist that Israel's recent military campaign against Hamas in Gaza bolstered the group's popular support, a new Palestinian poll reveals the exact opposite.
According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion finds that some 27 percent of Gazan Palestinians support Hamas after the war, compared to 51 percent in November.
Meanwhile, support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party in Gaza climbed to 43 percent from 31 percent in November. In the West Bank, Fatah holds a 16 percentage point lead over Hamas in popularity, 39 percent to 23 percent.
It is also noteworthy, and unfortunate, that some Gazans simply are too scared for their lives to share their opinions publicly. Said one man, "If I talk about this, I'm afraid that Hamas will come and kill me."
What does all this mean? For one thing, that exacting a military price from Hamas for its continued attacks on Israel can, albeit slowly, erode its popular support. With time, Palestinians will tire of the conflict and rise up against those who wish to perpetuate it.
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