Hamas's popularity after the destruction of the border barrier at Rafiah grew for the first time since March, 2006, according to a poll carried out by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. However, the polling organization said that the improved standing of Hamas does not mean that the public accepts its military takeover of Gaza last June.
The popularity of Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dropped to 51 percent while that of Hamas leader and deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh grew to 43 percent. The poll also showed that convicted arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti is more popular than any other Arab leader.