West Bank protests: “We Palestinians are heading for dark times”

In Ramallah there are repeated clashes between demonstrators and Palestinian security forces. And they’re getting more and more brutal. The support for President Abbas is waning.

A cafe in Ramallah. Najla Zeitune runs up a flight of stairs. The Palestinian woman clings to the banister. She is in pain and limping. She has a large bruise on her arm. A few days ago the journalist went downtown. She wanted to report there on the protests against the Palestinian Authority. But then the smartphone was taken from her. And a man hit her with a heavy wooden stick.

“I usually report on Israeli crimes and clashes with them. But then I was attacked by Palestinian security forces who were supposed to be protecting me. I took off my vest, which clearly identifies me as a journalist, and started crying. I didn’t have it because of them Cried in pain. I cried because we hit such a low point. ”

Violence by Palestinian security forces

Shawan Jabarin heads the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq. He is convinced that the men who attacked protesters and journalists are not civilians. “They’re not crazy people. They acted according to orders. They are plainclothes security forces. They didn’t wear a uniform because they know they are doing wrong.”

Al Haq is one of the most important Palestinian human rights organizations. Israel accuses her of ties to the PFLP, which is also classified by the EU as a terrorist organization. Al Haq denies this and international human rights organizations are working with Al Haq. The chief executive Jabarin says he is very concerned about the violence of the Palestinian security forces.

“If there is no surveillance and accountability to security forces, then they become barbarians. Everywhere. Here in Palestine too.”

Support for Abbas is waning

Hundreds of people chanted on the streets of Ramallah over the weekend. The backing of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian President Machmud Abbas continues to wane. The leadership has not been democratically confirmed for over 15 years. Abbas canceled a parliamentary election planned for May at short notice. This cancellation, says human rights activist Jabarin, was like another grenade for Palestinian society.

Abbas’s security forces have been arresting critics of the regime for weeks. One of them, Nizar Banat, died from being beaten during the arrest.

Instead of violence – hope for elections

The so-called international community is in a difficult position: it criticizes the autonomy authority, but at the same time has no interest in its weakening. Because the PA, as it is abbreviated in English, works with Israel and recognizes the state. Hamas in Gaza does not do that. The PA has now set up a commission of inquiry and stressed the importance of freedom of expression. This statement does not yet match the behavior of the security forces in recent weeks.

Palestine has a generation problem, says human rights activist Jabarin. A smart, young generation who have never voted in their life is roaming the streets. Why are you in power and not us? Asked the boys. The Palestinian does not want to give up hope. He hopes that there will finally be elections again. But some believe that an end to the Palestinian Authority is possible.

“Without profound reforms in matters of democracy and the possibility of participation by the people, we as Palestinians are heading for dark times.”