PA orders crackdown on criminals, illegal weapons in Hebron

• Published date: 26 September 2021
• Author: KHALED ABU TOAMEH
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"The instructions from the Palestinian leadership are clear and firm," the official told The Jerusalem Post. "There will be zero tolerance for anyone who breaks the law and intimidates the residents."

The instructions came in response to accusations by many residents, including senior Fatah officials and heads of local clans, that the PA was not doing anything to stop the recent wave of violent crime in the Hebron area.

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Last week, Emad Khurwat, a senior Fatah official in Hebron, accused the PA of "conspiring" against the city. He also threatened to prevent Palestinian officials from entering Hebron and said that Fatah gunmen were ready to replace the PA security forces in enforcing law and order.

Khurwat and other residents claimed that the city was now controlled by large clans that have dozens of gunmen who often intimidate and extort residents.

Khurwat's unprecedented and public threat is seen by local residents as a direct challenge to the PA leadership. It also reflects increased tensions between local Fatah activists and the leadership of the faction, which is headed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Over the past few weeks, some of the clans deployed scores of gunmen in various parts of Hebron as part of family feuds, during which a number of people were killed and several businesses set on fire.

Hebron has long been famous for its tribal justice system, whereby rival clans and individuals solve their disputes, including murder cases, away from the PA's official judiciary system.

On Saturday, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh visited Hebron, where he chaired an emergency meeting of the commanders of the various branches of the Palestinian security forces to discuss the deterioration of the security situation in the city and its surrounding villages and towns.

The meeting was attended by PA Governor of Hebron Jibrin al-Bakri.

During the meeting, which was held at the...