Dr. Nader Saeed: A significant deterioration in living conditions... and relative optimism reflects the Palestinians' adherence to hope as an important element of steadfastness

A large gap in the relationship between the public and the leadership: 69% are completely dissatisfied with the president’s performance and the government’s performance is less satisfied

Dr. Ibrahim Rabaya: The relief situation is deteriorating in the Gaza Strip as a result of the occupation’s obstacles, mismanagement of aid, and repeated displacement

Sinwar's assassination is a pivotal event on the political level, and the Knesset returned from its vacation in a state of "legislative frenzy."

During the “Round Table” workshop the day before yesterday, Dr. Nader Saeed, Director General of the Arab World Center for Research and Development (AWRAD), presented the most important results of the Palestinian public opinion poll conducted by the center between October 6 and 17, 2024 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Saeed explained that this poll is an extension of two previous polls conducted in May and August 2024, with the aim of exploring the shifts in Palestinian attitudes in light of the military escalation, large-scale displacement, and the worsening humanitarian crisis, in addition to the absence of a clear political horizon.

In the context of the results, Saeed said in a special interview with “I”: “Living conditions are witnessing a significant deterioration, as 93% of those surveyed confirmed that their economic situation is worse compared to the previous year.” Despite this reality, the survey showed that there is relative optimism among some Palestinians about the possibility of improving conditions in the future, which Saeed considered a reflection of the Palestinians’ adherence to hope as an important element of steadfastness in the face of difficult circumstances.

Big gap between the public and the leadership

When discussing the relationship between the public and the Palestinian leadership, the Director General of Awrad Center stressed the existence of a large gap reflected in the low levels of satisfaction with the performance of the leadership. In the West Bank, 69% of respondents expressed complete dissatisfaction with the performance of the Palestinian President, while the performance of the government was less satisfactory, with an overall satisfaction rate of 21%, stressing that these results represent a dangerous indicator that requires the Palestinian leadership to improve its communication with the public and work to restore its trust.

Humanitarian aid: a political tool that exacerbates suffering

As for humanitarian aid and reconstruction, the survey revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the fairness of aid distribution. Saeed pointed out that aid has become a tool used to politically manage the Gaza Strip, which has further complicated the crisis facing affected families. He called for the need to ensure fair distribution of aid as a human right, far from any political considerations.

Resistance receives support... and negotiations are an option in Gaza

Regarding political orientations, the results showed continued Palestinian support for armed resistance, especially in the West Bank, where 37% of respondents expressed support for comprehensive confrontation. In contrast, support for negotiations as a means of resolving the Palestinian issue emerged, especially in Gaza at 64%, which reflects a difference in orientations between the West Bank and Gaza, and confirms the complexity of the Palestinian political scene.

Factions in a dilemma

Speaking about the decline in support for political factions, Saeed noted that 51% of Palestinians did not express support for any political faction, an unprecedented indicator of general frustration with the status quo. He stressed that this shift requires a radical review of existing political projects and efforts to rebuild trust between the factions and the public.

Saeed concluded his talk to “I” by emphasizing the importance of Palestinian leaders listening to the voice of the public as a necessary step to strengthen national unity and develop policies that reflect the aspirations of the Palestinian people, noting that the relative optimism expressed by some Palestinians should be viewed as an opportunity to bring about real change that serves the Palestinian cause, stressing that the current phase represents a critical historical moment that calls for unified efforts and sustainable strategies to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a better future.

Starvation has become a major weapon.

In an interview with “I”, Dr. Ibrahim Rabaya, academic and political researcher, discussed the results of the latest opinion poll, highlighting the major transformations reflected in the results, and pointing to the worsening living conditions in the Gaza Strip, where starvation has become a major weapon, especially in the northern part of the Strip.

Rabaya pointed to the deteriorating relief situation as a result of the occupation’s obstructions and mismanagement of aid, with reports indicating that 85% of trucks have been stolen, according to the Washington Post. In addition, repeated displacement has exacerbated the suffering, with escalating violence and the destruction of infrastructure.

The Israeli Annexation Project: Killing Hope as a Systematic Policy

Rabaya pointed to the impact of Yahya Sinwar's martyrdom as a pivotal event on the political level, whether in the West Bank or Gaza, especially in light of the Israeli Knesset's return from its vacation in a state of "legislative frenzy", to complete the package of laws related to the project to annex the West Bank and implement the plans of the occupation's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which aim to kill hope among the Palestinians. He also discussed the targeting of UNRWA and the pressure on the financial resources of the Palestinian Authority, which undermined its ability to work.

Alternative media in Gaza

Rabaya spoke about the media transformations in Gaza after the destruction of traditional media institutions, where media professionals resorted to alternative platforms such as Telegram and TikTok, saying, “These platforms, despite their importance, raised challenges related to credibility and verification, which made them an easy tool for directing public opinion and information flooding, compared to traditional platforms that have become more declining.”

Relative optimism reflects the Palestinian will to persevere

Rabaya stressed that the poll reflects a general belief in the deterioration of living and economic conditions, and the absence of effective political responses locally, regionally and internationally, explaining that Israeli policy aims to kill hope, through measures such as temporarily opening crossings to give false hope, followed by intensive bombing that exacerbates the crisis. However, he pointed out that there is relative optimism among Palestinians, due to personal and religious convictions that constitute psychological support for steadfastness.

As for resistance, the poll showed continued Palestinian support for it, especially in the West Bank, where armed action enjoys the support of 58% of the public. However, Rabaya noted a variation in support rates between different areas of the West Bank, reflecting the disparity in the experience of contact with the occupation.

Regarding Palestinian identity, he pointed out the impact of the war on the fragmentation of national identity and the decline of national consensus, which leaves Palestinians in a state of political vacuum and pushes them to form individual convictions in the absence of a comprehensive national vision. This loss of a unified vision is reflected in the lack of confidence in international and local aid, and the emergence of limited support for the idea of international governance as an option to get out of the crisis.

Elections are the gateway to salvation

As for the political factions, Rabaya pointed to the decline in support for the Fatah and Hamas movements, as the results showed that 51% of Palestinians do not support any faction. He said, “This decline reflects a deep internal crisis within the factions, which requires radical reforms to rebuild trust with the public.” He also spoke about the importance of elections as the only outlet for reshaping the Palestinian political space, despite the field challenges facing their achievement.

Rabaya concluded his talk to "Y" by referring to the challenges facing the Fatah movement in forming a unified list for the parliamentary elections, and the decline in support for the Hamas movement in Gaza, stressing that the Palestinian factions, together, face a historic test to prove their ability to adapt to the changing reality, and to reunite the national ranks to confront regional and international challenges.