Hamas popularity among Palestinians declining, poll finds

[oberliner]

The popularity of the Islamic Hamas movement is steadily declining among Palestinians, while that of its rival - the secular Fatah movement - remains unchanged, a new public opinion poll published Monday revealed.

According to the poll, if parliamentary elections were held today, Fatah would receive 43 percent of the vote, compared to 29 percent for Hamas, and the movement's leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, would receive the support of 53 percent of the voters, compared to 39 percent for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1017213.html

[provis99]

1. well, that's how real democracy works

Hamas will get voted out because they've produced nothing but trouble for the average Palestinian; while Fatah is completely corrupt, but at least Israeli mortar shells don't rain down on their heads when Fatah is in power.

They're like the Republicans and Democrats of Palestine; its just a matter of which bowl of shit smells less when you vote for it.

[oberliner]

2. Not sure that I would call what happened between Hamas and Fatah an example of democracy working

In any case, I doubt Hamas will actually allow any kind of election to take place in Gaza any time soon.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Well, I hope that it will indeed be sorted out democratically

But my hopes are not that high.

[Vegasaurus]

4. Hamas is ruling with an iron fist

you won't see any election in the territory soon, if ever.