Survey finds majority in the West Bank support the Oct 7 massacre

The Birzeit University poll finds that Palestinian terror groups are widely supported, with over 80 percent supporting the various factions

An opinion poll conducted by Birzeit University's Arab World for Research & Development (AWRAD) revealed that a majority of surveyed Palestinians in the West Bank support the October 7 massacre carried out by Hamas, and an even wider majority have a positive view of the various terrorist factions.

After over 1,200 people were brutally murdered and over 240 taken hostage, including children and elderly, many civilians tortured and raped, the survey showed that 68 percent in the West Bank strongly supported the massacres and kidnapping, while another 16 percent supported to some extent.

Asked on their view of various entities, respondents answered overwhelmingly in support of the military wings of the terrorist organizations; Palestinian Islamic Jihad with 84 percent; al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades with 80 percent, and al-Qassam Brigades with the highest 89 percent, though Hamas as a whole received a lower 76 percent.

Political bodies, the press, and and other countries were much less appraised. The governing Palestinian Authority was with only 10 percent, though the ruling party Fatah got a slightly higher 23 percent, and the UN received nine.

Russia was the most positively viewed country with 40 percent support, Iran received 32 percent, the UK got 3, and dead last were the United States and Israel with zero.

After the October 7 attacks, 98 percent felt more proud to be Palestinian. Due to the solidarity marches across the world, 78 percent "felt strongly or to some extent that there is hope for humanity in the future."

Furthermore, 65 percent identified the war as being against all Palestinians, and 98 percent reported that they will "never forgive and never forget."

As such, 68 percent indicated that their support for a two-state solution decreased, and 80 percent were more determined for a Palestinian state. However, 90 percent responded "coexistence is increasingly impossible."

Flash90 Palestinian student supporters of Hamas in Gaza wave the movement's flag during a rally at Birzeit University, near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

AWRAD "surveyed 668 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, during the fourth week of the ongoing Gaza War. The team conducted the survey through tablet-assisted, face-to-face interviews," according to its press release.

It added that "the poll’s sample includes all socioeconomic groups, ensuring equal representation of adult men and women, and is proportionately distributed across the West Bank and Gaza."