Survey: Palestinians Believe Peace Talks Are Best Strategy

A new survey shows a majority of Palestinians believe peace negotiations are the best way to achieve their goals.

The survey released Thursday by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center [2]showed 53 percent of those polled said peace talks were the best strategy.  That compares with 26 percent who said violent resistance is the best method, and 16 percent who supported non-violent resistance.

The survey also showed 41 percent of respondents had confidence in the Fatah Movement, which governs the West Bank.  Less than 15 percent said they were confident in Hamas, the faction that controls the Gaza Strip, while nearly a third of those polled said they do not trust any faction.

The survey of 1,200 random respondents was conducted September 11-15 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A majority of those surveyed (56 percent) also said the peace talks will not result in any major changes.

The survey shows more people approve of the job performance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, with 54 percent saying they were satisfied this year compared to 47 percent in 2009.