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Most Palestinians believe Abbas' time is up

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-12 16:43

JERUSALEM _ A new poll shows most Palestinians believe their moderate president's term should end in a matter of weeks. That indicates Mahmoud Abbas' support could erode if he stays on after a January 9 deadline.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends the U.N. conference on financing for development in Doha November 29, 2008. [Agencies]

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Abbas says Palestinian law gives him until early 2010. His Hamas rivals reject that claim.

The poll shows 64 percent believe the Western-backed Abbas' term should end now. Only 24 percent believe he has another year.

The poll was released Thursday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. Pollsters surveyed 1270 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

The poll shows 40 percent of Gazans wish to emigrate, compared to 25 percent in the West Bank.

Seventy-four percent support continuing a Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.