Palestinians protest against Mahmoud Abbas after activist’s death
Angry demonstrators clashed with Palestinian security forces during a third day of protests in the occupied West Bank over the death of an outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority (PA) who died while in PA custody.
Hundreds gathered in the city of Ramallah – the headquarters of the PA – to chant slogans against PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas, two days after Abbas’s forces arrested activist Nizar Banat.
According to Banat’s family, two dozen officers beat him on the head with batons and metal rods. His death was confirmed a few hours after his arrest.
The protesters held Palestinian flags and posters of Banat, and called on the 85-year-old Abbas to quit. “The people want to overthrow the regime,” they chanted, along with, “step down, Abbas!”
“We want a total political reform that will truly reflect the interests of the people,” protester Esmat Mansour told Reuters news agency.
As the protesters began to march to Abbas’ office compound, a group of the president’s supporters blocked the rally, prompting an exchange of stone-throwing between the two sides. Palestinian security forces in riot gear fired tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters, sending many running for cover.
In a statement, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the PA was acting in “criminal conduct”.
“The brutal repression by the security services of the PA in the occupied West Bank against demonstrators is criminal conduct and a flagrant violation of all laws and humanitarian norms,” he said, adding that the PA is acting against “national and moral considerations”.
On Thursday, demonstrators had set fires, blocked the streets of the city centre and clashed with riot police in Ramallah.
Palestinians also chanted against the PA on Friday at Banat’s funeral in Al-Khalil and masked gunmen fired shots into the air.
Hundreds also rallied against Abbas after Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds.
The crackdown comes as the internationally-backed PA faces a growing backlash from Palestinians who view it as corrupt and increasingly autocratic, a manifestation of a three-decade peace process that is nowhere close to delivering Palestinian independence.
Palestinian protesters have accused the PA of being a subcontractor to the Israeli occupation.