Palestinian See Their Government as Corrupt

A recent poll by Nader Said, a long-time pollster, surveyed 1200 Palestinians and found that 95 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank believe their government is corrupt. Said, who runs and independent polling agency called AWRAD, told the Associated Press that this is the highest rate he has ever seen in all the polls he has done. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said his government is working hard to stamp out any corruption and said that the allegations are mere gossip. Said told the AP that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ leadership style is seen as “elitist” and that he is not interested in a serious debate on issues. Unemployment remains high in both areas, especially in the densely-populated Gaza Strip, and most Palestinians say they see no progress toward an independent Palestinian state.