Palestinian Public Opinion Polls No. 30
Date
2007-09
Authors
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Publisher
An-Najah National University/ Opinion Polls and Survey Studies Unit
Abstract
Since the domination of Hamas movement over the Gaza Strip, it has become obvious that the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) has become completely impaired. Such reality prompted President Abu Mazen to issue a group of presidential decrees in the form of laws the most important of which was amending the elections law to make the whole country one electoral circle. This amendment was rejected by Hamas considering the President's decree unconstitutional.
In Gaza, the PLO factions called upon all citizens to hold the Friday prayer in the open, instead of holding it in mosques since, they believe, Hamas uses mosques for incitement. Hamas denied such allegations and issued a religious decree (fatwa) denying the sanctity and holiness of prayers outside mosques (in the open). The Executive Force encountered the worshippers, beat them and arrested several. Even media personnel were not spared harassments. Such harassments were condemned by several Palestinian factions and civil society institutions considering them attacks on public liberties and an attempt to confound people.
On the side of negotiations, meetings between President Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister continued aiming at laying out a detailed frame work for a Palestinian Israeli solution that will be discussed in the international meeting intended to take place in the coming fall.