Palestinians′ rage grows — against their own governing authority | Middle East| News and analysis of events in the Arab world | DW

The Israeli-occupied West Bank is no stranger to political upheaval. But over the past week Palestinian protesters have turned growing anger against their own government, the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-government in parts of the territory.

Hundreds took to the streets in several cities last weekend to protest the violent death in Palestinian custody of Nizar Banat, a well-known critic of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.

Last weekend, demonstrators in Ramallah waved Palestinian flags next to pictures of the Banat and called for an end to the long-term rule of the Palestinian President. Once they were fired with tear gas by Palestinian security forces in full riot gear, while others were physically assaulted by plainclothes officers.

The Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq also reported that several journalists covering a demonstration were attacked and their equipment was confiscated.

Nizar Banat was a critic of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank

A spokesman for the Palestinian security forces, Colonel Talal Dweikat, said they had acted “positively” to avoid friction during the demonstrations. He added that the official committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nizar Banat’s death had started work.

“There will be full transparency regarding the committee. We want to know the truth about what happened,” Dweikat told DW.

Prominent critic killed

Banat had previously been arrested several times for his openness on social media accusing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his inner ruling circle of corruption and authoritarianism.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections originally planned for May but now postponed, Banat was the first candidate on the “Dignity” party list.

According to his family, Banat was badly beaten and sprayed with pepper spray by Palestinian security forces while he was being arrested at his home and taken away to Hebron in the early hours of June 24th. His death was later announced.

In a statement by the Independent Palestinian Commission on Human Rights (ICHR), the initial results of the autopsy showed injuries caused by “bruises and abrasions in many areas of the body, including the head, neck, shoulders, chest, back, and upper and lower extremities Signs of binding on the wrist and rib fractures. “

The preliminary results showed that Banat’s “death is abnormal” – although more laboratory tests would be needed to determine the main cause of death, the statement concluded.

Police used tear gas on demonstrators in Ramallah. a

Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that those responsible for Banat’s death will be “held accountable,” announcing the formation of the investigative committee, according to the official WAFA news agency.

However, Banat’s family thinks the results of the commission’s work are likely one-sided and do not want to accept them.

Public anger and growing backlash

The Palestinian Authority has faced increasing criticism in recent years from Palestinians for viewing it as corrupt, ineffective and increasingly autocratic. The postponement of the long overdue parliamentary elections reinforced this criticism.

And during the recent military escalation in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah was politically sidelined by its own almost complete silence on the events.

“I think the government [regime] is in a deep political crisis. The political leadership can no longer really speak to the Palestinian public, “says Jihad Harb, a political analyst and writer in Ramallah.” They don’t seem to have any real answers to what people are interested in. They only seem to protect themselves and their interests. ”

The assassination of the Banat and the violence against demonstrators mourning his death have dismayed ordinary Palestinians. “There were demonstrations because people value freedom – it is important to go out and demonstrate, but the authorities did not accept it,” said Jihad Kadami, a young teacher in Ramallah.

“It is normal for people to want to express themselves democratically after what happened to Nizar Banat.”

Another Palestinian, Samer Khalil, said of Nizar Banat: “He only criticized and gave his opinion.” And although Banat has clashed with the government in the past, this does not justify the agency’s behavior, certainly “not to the extent that he beat or brutally killed him”.

The violence during the protests added to frustration, with protests being harsh on previous occasions, including by security forces. “It’s very sad, I don’t think it expresses people’s values. I see a lot of people among friends and colleagues who are upset about this, ”added Khalil.

Some observers believe that at this point another spark could spark wider protests against the government. Political scientist Jihad Harb said people are beginning to realize “what happened to Nizar Banat can happen to anyone who is critical or has problems with the regime.”

Abbas supports international support

Palestinian and international human rights groups have long criticized the Palestinian Authority and its security forces for being clumsy at demonstrations and for increasingly suppressing dissent. They also criticize President Abbas’ rule, which was decreed.

“We lack a legislative council in which laws should be passed that has the task of doing this. And we need a government that adheres to the separation of powers, ”said Catherine Abuamsha, lawyer for the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq.

Mahmoud Abbas has been in power for 16 years

Abbas was elected for four years in 2005 but has now been in office for 16 years.

The Palestinian Authority has denied allegations of ill-treatment of people because of their political views or the use of excessive force. And after the last war between Israel and Hamas in May, the Palestinian Authority remains the most important partner in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the militant Hamas.

Over the past two decades, the international community has consistently given political backing to the Palestinian Authority, which is dominated by Abbas’s Fatah party. The USA and the European Union have also supported them financially and provided their security forces with extensive training.

And Banat’s death sparked swift international reactions. The US, EU and UN have called for an investigation, with the EU Mission to the Palestinians declaring that the Banat’s death “is of serious concern and against a backdrop of increasingly persistent detention of the Palestinian security forces”. . “

Whether this can ward off further clumsiness – and broader protests – remains to be seen.