This report analyzes Palestinian opinion surveys over the past decade, tracking the shifting levels of support for Fatah and political Islam according to various indicators (e.g., refugee status, age, gender, occupation, and income level) and linking the shifts to political developments on the ground; the data are organized to highlight the impact of the second intifada. Among the interesting findings is the sharp gender division in support for the two movements, with women constituting the majority of political Islam’s support and men dominating support for Fatah. Less surprising is Hamas’s growing support in the poorest segment of the population, showing a degree of social “class” polarization. The author ends with a brief analysis of the results of the 2006 legislative elections in the light of the survey findings.
