A survey conducted by the the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between 15-17 March 2012, demonstrate the Palestinian mind set with regard to peace with Israel.
The poll found “a significant decline” in Hamas’s popularity in the Gaza Strip and “a decrease in the positive evaluation” of Gaza’s Hamas government. Only 27% of Gazans said they would vote Hamas if elections were held today, down from 35% three months ago, while only 36% approved of the Hamas government’s performance, down from 41%.
That may sound like a positive development except that the poll was conducted immediately after a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Islamic Jihad. The assumption is that the decline in support for Hamas is due to Hamas' behavior, standing on the sideline, during Gaza's rocket war with Israel and due to the prevailing pessimism about the chances for reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.
So in essence if Hamas tries to avoid escallation it loses rating among the Palestinian people. Real peace seekers right?
Maybe to compensate for firing less rockets on Israeli people, Hamas is now blockading itself by refusing to accept fuel from Israel. Hamas government in Gaza ordered civil servants to offer rides to people during daytime work hours in order to survive the self-imposed lack of fuel. Again, this mind set is not encouraging when it comes to peace - if Hamas is not willing to accept fuel from Israel they will be willing to co-exist side by side?
But if we talk about peace and who is willing to make a change, an Israeli couple's initiative has been drawing attention online.
An Israeli graphic designer, Ronny Edry, wanted to reach out to Iranian people with a message of peace. Since it's not possible to dial an Iranian number from Israel he turned to social media to spread his message. His message is making waves and is making headlines in traditional media which loves the peaceful angle.
Israel and Israelis are all for peace - can the Palestinians say the same?
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