[National Public Radio] Eric Westervelt - In Gaza, as the Hamas-run PA has become an increasingly dysfunctional body, large, powerful Palestinian families have stepped in and hold increasing sway, especially over security matters. For example, there's a prolific car theft ring in Gaza and security officer Asharaf says everyone knows who's involved. The police won't or can't touch them, he says; they're from a big, well-armed family with ties to a powerful militant faction. "If you sent in two Jeeps from the security forces to arrest one person, hundreds of militants will come out and shoot at you. It's now a totally stupid rule of the jungle," he says.
2006-11-03 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive