(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most residents of the Gaza Strip and West Bank hold an unfavourable opinion of their government's standards, according to a poll by the Jerusalem Media & Communication Center. 87.3 per cent of respondents think there is corruption in the Palestinian Authority.

Fatah member Mahmoud Abbas won the January 2005 presidential ballot with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. Ismail Haniyeh officially took over as prime minister on Mar. 28. The Israeli government believes Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of 377 citizens in a variety of attacks, which include dozens of suicide bombings.

In June 2006, Haniyeh discussed his faction's victory, saying, "Hamas has a worldview and a program, and people voted quite consciously for that. This program includes both resisting the occupation and criticizing corruption in the previous government. Hamas still has a majority." 33.6 per cent of respondents think nepotism is the worst form of corruption, followed by favouring supporters of a certain movement with 25.7 per cent, and lack of transparency with 20 per cent.

On Feb. 8 in Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which sets the guidelines for a power-sharing Palestinian administration, headed by Hamas, which would "respect" past peace agreements with Israel. In all, Hamas would control eight cabinet positions, with Fatah taking five. Three key portfolios—finance, interior and foreign affairs—would be handled by independents. The new coalition government was sworn in on Mar. 17.

Polling Data

Do you think that there is corruption in the Palestinian Authority?

In your opinion, what is the worst form of corruption?

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