Poll: 28% of Palestinians back idea of joint state with Jordan

[oberliner]

A opinion poll conducted by A-Najah University in the West Bank city of Nablus has found that support for Hamas has slipped markedly since elections were held in the West Bank and Gaza in 2006, and that a substantial segment of the Arabs in the territories support the idea of the establishment of a joint Palestinian-Jordanian state, Army Radio reported Tuesday.

The survey found that 36 percent of Palestinians support Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, versus 14.4 percent who back Hamas. A total of 30.8 percent expressed no preference between the two organizations, and just 2.1 percent expressed support for the Islamic Jihad.

Respondents also voiced strong support for the temporary cease-fire or hudna between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with 71.5 percent saying they were for it.

Perhaps the most striking finding was that 27.6 percent of respondents said they supported calling for the formation of a joint Jordanian-Palestinian state.

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1023705.html

Edit to add:

Here is the actual question and survey results regarding the Jordanian-Palestinian idea:

There has been a media proposition lately referring to the formation of a
Hashemite Jordanian-Palestinian kingdom. Do you support or reject such
proposition?

9.7% I strongly support
17.9% I support
34.0% I reject
32.8% I strongly reject
5.6% No opinion/I do not know

[Blue Meany]

1. I think there are just as many who support a "One State Solution" -

giving Palestinians citizenship and full civil rights in the State of Israel. Obviously, this would change Israel to being a secular state.

[oberliner]

2. Some questions about the two-state solution were included in the survey

For example:

Do you support or reject the creation of two states on the historic land of
Palestine (a Palestinian state and Israel)?
42.5% I support
54.3% I reject
3.2% No opinion/I do not know

Do you support or reject the creation of a Palestinian state on the 1967
occupied territories?
67.1% I support
29.6% I reject
3.4% No opinion/I do not know

[LeftishBrit]

4. I wonder why the responses to the two questions are so different?

Are those who answer Yes to the second but No to the first unwilling to accept the state of Israel (contradicts their desire for a 'hudna') or do they think that a likely 'two-state solution' would give Palestine something much less than the 1967 OTs?

[oberliner]

5. Perhaps some see the creation of a state as an interim step?

Some may support the creation of such a state as a temporary phase towards whatever eventual situation they prefer.

[LeftishBrit]

3. I don't think that solution would get off the ground...

First of all, while 28% is a significant percentage, it's still quite a small minority. Secondly, I don't think Jordan would co-operate - which instantly makes it impossible.

What is encouraging is the large number who want a 'hudna'.

Not surprising that Hamas' support has fallen, or that 31% back neither of the main parties. The opportunity is certainly ripe for completely new leaders.