Poll Finds Deep Divisions Among Palestinians on Israel's Right to Exist

A recent poll conducted in Judea and Samaria reveals significant divisions among Palestinians regarding Israel's right to exist, with 46% believing it does not have such a right, while 41% acknowledge it. When asked about Israel's long-term future, 42% think its existence could be ended, compared to 32% who deem it impossible. Despite these views, a majority of respondents, 52%, favor diplomatic negotiations as the primary means to resolve the conflict, significantly outweighing support for non-armed popular resistance (13%) or armed struggle (12%). Furthermore, 57% of those surveyed believe violent resistance has failed and that Palestinians should focus on international diplomatic action.

No single political solution garners majority support. The two-state solution is backed by 27% of respondents, while 22% prefer a single binational state with equal rights for all. Another 26% desire a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea" without a permanent Jewish presence, and 17% envision a Palestinian state where Jews could live as citizens or residents.

Regarding the future of Gaza, 40% believe Hamas should lay down its arms, though less than half expect the organization to comply. For Gaza's administration, 32% favor a technocratic government, followed by the Palestinian Authority (21%), a Fatah-Hamas unity government (21%), and Hamas itself (5%).

The succession of Mahmoud Abbas is also uncertain, with 44% not expressing a preference. Among those who did, imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti leads significantly with 34%, far ahead of Hussein al-Sheikh at 8%. Daily concerns dominate respondents' priorities, with 97% citing unemployment and economic hardship, 96% referencing settler violence, and 91% mentioning IDF operations in Judea and Samaria as major issues. Additionally, 60% report feeling a low or very low sense of personal security.