(Gatestone Institute) Bassam Tawil - Palestinian leaders have a long history of cracking down on their political rivals and opponents. For the past three decades, leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas have systematically targeted political activists, journalists, social media users, students, professors and human rights activists as part of an ongoing campaign to silence critics and deter others from speaking out against the lack of democracy and freedom of speech. This abuse has transformed the PA-controlled areas in the West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza into Palestinian dictatorships similar to those that have long existed in most Arab countries. It has also resulted in the suppression of the emergence of new leaders capable of leading the Palestinians towards security, stability and prosperity. That is the main reason the Palestinians' only choice today continues to be the current Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaders. Those who are hoping that a new (and pragmatic) Palestinian leadership will take over one day are in for a disappointment. Even after 89-year-old PA President Mahmoud Abbas is gone, his cronies and inner circle will continue to run the show. In Gaza, no Palestinian will agree to play any administrative role as long as Hamas and its friends are still around. That is why it is necessary to eliminate Hamas completely.
2024-11-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive