Arafat: anche i palestinesi cominciano ad averne abbastanza

Dal Newsday:

Gaza strip hit with new crisis

Palestinians boost government office security after a series of kidnapping focus on high-profile targets



A security panel headed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat declared a state of emergency in the Gaza Strip early Saturday after a wave of kidnappings involving a Palestinian police chief, a security official and four French citizens.



Although most of the hostages were later freed, the crisis raised questions about the future of Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia’s government, which will meet Saturday in a session that could determine its future, a Palestinian official said on condition of anonymity.



The declaration by the Palestinian security council called for increased protection around government facilities and canceled all leave for security officials.



The situation reflected the growing disagreements among militant groups and individuals trying to strengthen their positions before Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fulfills his pledge to withdraw Israeli forces and some 7,500 settlers from Gaza late next year.



The kidnappings prompted two senior Palestinian security officials to submit their resignations, but Arafat refused to accept them.



The apparent challenge to Qureia comes as Arafat attempts to fend off criticism from some Palestinian officials, unhappy about the pace of government reform and the corruption in the Palestinian Authority. Arafat’s popularity has waned as tensions have escalated. (continua sul Newsday)

Dal Maariv International, un editoriale di Ben Kaspit:

The disintegration of Yasser Arafat

Following weekend of growing unrest, PA Chairman is entering two crucial days that will shape his future.



Two parallel scenarios are taking place before our eyes: Ariel Sharon's withdrawal and Yasser Arafat's disintegration. Although the angry outburst in Gaza was predictable – and has been discussed by Israeli security forces for the past two years – it still took us somewhat by surprise.



The young Palestinians who were expected to lead the protest and usher in the revolution have finally gained strength. Let's be clear: Their actions do not reflect one iota of love for Israel, no new pragmatism, nor any sudden and bold insight about their violent confrontation with us. What do they reflect? A great deal of anger, frustration, helplessness, and despair.



What's in store? There's no telling. Perhaps a window of opportunity, perhaps an axe for digging (Arafat's grave), perhaps nothing. It began as a series of kidnappings resulting from a clash between the Abu Rais [Arafat's] clan and the hated, corrupt head of the PA's police force in Gaza – Ghazi Jabali. As the kidnapped PA officials were being released one-by-one, all hell broke loose.



Today and tomorrow are crucial. If Arafat succeeds in restoring calm through his usual tactics of dismissal and suspension, the momentum toward disintegration may be slowed. If not, there's no telling where the PA will stand by next week, if it will, indeed, be still standing.



Now everyone can say, "we told you so": Ariel Sharon, for one, who claims there is no Palestinian partner and the sooner we get out of Gaza the better. In Sharon's view, it will be no surprise and will change nothing if chaos reigns and Hamas begins to go wild. Israel must withdraw from Gaza, period.



Abu Ala can also say "I told you so". He talks about the anger in the streets, corruption, and violent crimes he's seen since taking office. His predecessor, Abu Mazen, can nod in agreement, having once referred to the same things. The difference between them is simple: Abu Mazen stood up to Arafat and Abu Ala’s stuck with him. Both of them have taken a long walk off a short plank. "Security disintegration" was Abu Ala’s term for what might transpire, and is now indeed transpiring.



An irony of fate: A new 2,000 strong security apparatus, led by Colonel Bashir Nasser, was recently established by the PA to intervene quickly to quell disturbances in the Gaza Strip. The British supplied them with 40 accessorized vehicles, the Americans sent state-of-the-art computers, and the Egyptians provided training. All that has gone up in smoke.



Behind the scenes, Mohammed Dahlan [former PA minister in charge of security affairs] and Abu Mazen are planning their comeback. Dahlan has been building up steam in recent weeks. The Fatah elections in Gaza bode well for him. On the other hand, he's no saint. "The Death Unit", a gang of violent criminals led by a murderer, is known as Dahlan's independent arm for intervention in Gaza. Then again, he's nothing compared with Ghazi Jabali, who raised the bar for corruption and violence to record levels (Besides his record of corruption, the man is involved in wholesale acts of juvenile rape in Gaza). (continua sul Maariv International)