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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/15093/palestinian-leaders-silence-critics
The Arab Spring Will Arrive, Sooner or Later, for the Palestinians
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - In the past few weeks, several journalists were arrested by PA and Hamas security forces. The latest crackdown is said to spring from the PA's and Hamas' fear that the current wave of anti-corruption protests sweeping Arab countries may spread to the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinian sources in Gaza said that a number of social media activists were also arrested for calling on Palestinians to take to the streets to protest against Hamas and its failure to improve the living conditions of its people. Earlier this week, Hamas security forces arrested Hamas security officer Hussein Qatoush after he posted a video on Facebook in which he complained that he does not have money to pay for transportation from his home to work. Hamas accused him of "leaking security details." Hani al-Masri, a prominent Palestinian political analyst, says, "It is certain that the Arab Spring will arrive, sooner or later, to Palestine.... With the exception of a few, the [Palestinian] elite is corrupt and incompetent - or both." Palestinian journalists who expose the villainy of Palestinian leaders are deemed criminals, complete with criminal consequences. Criticism is fine, of course - if it is directed at Israel. Otherwise, Palestinian journalists had best keep their criticism to themselves - lest the PA and Hamas decide to leave them in critical condition.