Most Palestinians Believe Hamas Should Change its Position on Eliminating: Contrary to Hamas Position, Majority Supports Two-State Solution Hamas Victory Driven By Desire To End Corruption

Abstract

The decisive victory of the militant Islamic group Hamas in last month’s Palestinian legislative elections (winning 74 of 132 parliamentary seats) has raised the question of whether the Palestinian public has become aligned with Hamas’ rejection of Israel’s right to exist and its stated goal of creating an Islamic state covering all of historic Palestine, including what is now Israel. Hamas has come under increasing pressure to renounce its goal of eliminating Israel, but Hamas leaders have refused.