(Financial Times-UK) Charles Morris - The prospects for international aid donors hoping to foster a private sector-led recovery of the Gaza economy are clouded by uncertainty over the high level of lawlessness that currently afflicts Gazans. "There are almost daily incidents of killings and shootings, and the PA has done little to stop it," said Salah Abdel-Shafi, an economic consultant. Crimes range from carjacking to kidnapping and extortion. Most people blame the lawlessness on turf wars and family feuds involving elements of the security forces linked to rivals in the PA and Fatah, its dominant faction. Many blame Mahmoud Abbas for not using his overwhelming electoral mandate to crack down on lawless elements in his own camp. "Seventy percent of this lawlessness comes from within the PA," said Nasser Azzat.
2005-08-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive