The IDF released details about another Hamas propaganda technique. A Palestinian Polling Firm that had regularly conducted surveys about many subjects within the Palestinian community, sometimes on the West Bank, sometimes within Gaza, and sometimes both, has kept documented records showing that the results of their polls were altered prior to release to the public. The alterations involved reporting results that were more favorable to Hamas.
The material related to polls by the Ramallah based Palestinian Center For Policy and Survey headed by Khalil Shikaki (previously regarded as a reliable source). The IDF found documents in an office of the Hamas Security forces which included (among other things) letter sent to Ramallah with the original results and the altered versions. The “corrected” results were then given to Al-Jazeera.
The IDF did not find documentation showing clear collusion between the offices, but did note that the version that Al-Jazeera was given (the altered one) was used in their broadcasts. Al-Jazeera was banned in Israel a while ago.
One sample from the captured correspondence showed a survey regarding support for the Oct 7 attack. The original poll showed less than 31% supported the decision and over 64% opposed it (almost 5% were undecided). The altered version sent to Ramallah indicated over 71% in favor and only 23 % against.
This activity is not surprising. Hamas is not the only Arab group that plays games with statistics and polls to present views supporting their own opinions. American media also uses selective reporting to help parties they approve of and I’ve mentioned quoting from the Hamas controlled Gaza Ministry of Health before. Viewers of CNN might also have noticed the recent (non)interview of Democratic Candidate Harris that certainly did not live up to my idea of unbiased journalism,
Wetherhorn 