Fatah leader challenges Palestinian Authority over control of Hebron
| Author | KHALED ABU TOAMEH |
| Published date | 23 September 2021 |
| Publication title | Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel) |
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The threat, which was made during a public meeting of leaders of several Palestinian clans in Hebron, came in the aftermath of lawlessness and anarchy in the city in the past few weeks.
Many of the clans in Hebron have thousands of members and are considered more powerful than the PA and its security forces. The clans administer their own legal system and often replace the PA security forces and courts in enforcing law and order and issuing verdicts, including in murder cases.
Khurwat and other activists in Hebron said that the PA has lost control over the city, paving the way for large clans to take matters into their own hands and deploy dozens of gunmen on the streets.
They said that several gunmen have been involved in various criminal activities in the city, including collecting "protection money," vandalism and murder.
"I will set up a checkpoint [at the entrance to Hebron] and prevent any Palestinian official from entering the city," Khurwat said during the gathering. "I'm responsible for every word I say. For me, Hebron is more sacred than all human beings."
Khurwat demanded that PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and the commanders of all the Palestinian security forces arrive immediately in Hebron to discuss the problems facing the residents. "They are not bigger than Hebron," he said.
According to the senior Fatah official, disputes between rival clans in Hebron have led to the murder of a number of people and are threatening to claim more lives. "Everyone has a gun and everyone is prepared to kill," Khurwat cautioned. "The Palestinian Authority is conspiring against Hebron."
He warned that if the PA does not assume its responsibilities towards Hebron, the local families and Fatah members would be forced to take action.
Fatah activists, Khurwat said, are ready to replace the PA security forces in Hebron. "Tomorrow, I will form a group of 200 gunmen to protect all the small families in Hebron. In Hebron, there is anarchy," he said. "Every person has a group of 50 gunmen to protect his family."
Some Fatah activists in the city announced that they would boycott the PA government because of its failure to enforce law and order in the city.
They called on the PA...
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