(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Palestinian residents of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem believe a deal with the Israeli government should be pursued, according to a poll by Near East Consulting. 68 per cent of respondents support a peace settlement with Israel.

Fatah member Mahmoud Abbas won the January 2005 Palestinian Authority presidential ballot with 62.32 per cent of all cast ballots. In January 2006, Hamas—an organization listed as "terrorist" by several countries including the United States, Canada and Israel, and the European Union (EU)—won the Palestinian Legislative Council election, securing 74 of the 112 seats at stake. After negotiations geared at establishing a unity government with Hamas and Fatah failed in October 2006, tensions escalated between armed supporters of the two rival factions.

On Feb. 8 in Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Fatah leaders reached an accord which sets the guidelines for a power-sharing 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—will be handled by independents.

On Mar. 17, the Palestinian unity government presented its program, which does not include an explicit recognition of Israel. Yesterday, United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "We expect that the national unity government will meet the expectations of the international community for peace and security in the region."

The UN, along with the European Union (EU), the United States and Russia, had established four preconditions to Hamas: Disarming, recognizing Israel, rejecting terror and changing the organization's charter.

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