The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, which conducts periodic polls of the Arab public in Yesha, finds that Arafat\'s popularity now stands at only 35%; it stood at 46% in July 2000. Correspondent Haggai Huberman reports that Israeli officials note that, in a departure from past practice, more and more PA officials are using the words \"Arafat\" and \"corruption\" in the same breath.
The most recent poll, taken last week, shows what the pollsters called \"wide opposition\" to agreements Arafat made to end three Israeli sieges: Some 49% were against the Mukata agreement, under which Arafat went free while two of his top aides and four other terrorists were imprisoned in Jericho; 58% were against the Nativity Church agreement; and 65% opposed the Rajoub agreement in Bituniya. Huberman reports that Arafat is perceived to have \"sold\" six of his men and sent them to jail in order that he himself be allowed to leave the Mukata. Furthermore, the Nativity agreement is the first time that the PA has agreed to have its \"citizens\" deported.
Other findings: Over 90% of the PA public was found to support fundamental changes in the Palestinian Authority, and 83% believe that corruption exists in PA institutions. Second-most popular in the PA: Marwan Barghouti, with 19% support.
The most recent poll, taken last week, shows what the pollsters called \"wide opposition\" to agreements Arafat made to end three Israeli sieges: Some 49% were against the Mukata agreement, under which Arafat went free while two of his top aides and four other terrorists were imprisoned in Jericho; 58% were against the Nativity Church agreement; and 65% opposed the Rajoub agreement in Bituniya. Huberman reports that Arafat is perceived to have \"sold\" six of his men and sent them to jail in order that he himself be allowed to leave the Mukata. Furthermore, the Nativity agreement is the first time that the PA has agreed to have its \"citizens\" deported.
Other findings: Over 90% of the PA public was found to support fundamental changes in the Palestinian Authority, and 83% believe that corruption exists in PA institutions. Second-most popular in the PA: Marwan Barghouti, with 19% support.