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I S R A E L ' S C O M M A N D :

CRIPPLE THE PALESTINIANS...

AND BOTH FORCE AND HELP ARAFAT TO PARTICIPATE!

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MER - Washington - 26 September:

     Those of you who regularly read MER are aware that one of the goals of Arafat's "Authority" from the start has been to push under Hamas, a truly grassroots movement as opposed to Arafat's imposed regime, and prevent it from becoming the dominant force within Palestinian society.

     Indeed, among the main reasons the Israelis decided to pursue arming and financing Arafat was to get him to do the dirty work of repressing and crippling Palestinian society. The gross corruption, escalating fear, and growing demoralization that has been brought by the Arafat Regime to occupied Palestine are the results.

     While fearing he could spark a civil war that would also potentially cripple his "Authority" and result in his elimination, Arafat is using the excuse of fighting "terrorism" to further emasculate his political opposition and create even greater fear and repression throughout the pockets of Palestine he rules -- all surrounded by Israeli troops of course. That 99% of Hamas institutions are the prime providers of welfare and social services to the population is not something Arafat cares very much about it appears -- as usual he puts his regimes survival and rewarding his cronies above all other goals.

     It was just a few months ago that the "Palestinian Assembly" demanded that Arafat fire his entire "Cabinet" and bring a number of his closest lieutenants to criminal trial for gross corruption. Since then both the Assembly and the press have been further muzzled by threats and intimidation. Palestine is now doubly occupied, a police state within a military occupation. While the Israelis are pursuing mass arrests, closing mosques, and building ever more Jewish-only settlements; the Arafat regime in indeed doing the dirty work within the "autonomous" areas. This report just in:

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PA POLICE CLOSE 16 WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS

IN GAZA, TV STATION IN THE WEST BANK

WHILE CONTINUING ILLEGAL ARRESTS

25 September 1997

     Palestinian police closed and sealed 16 Islamic welfare institutions in Gaza, bowing to US and Israeli pressure to crack down on Hamas activists.

     These institutions provide social services like day care, vocational training and orphan shelters that the PA has been unable to provide. Some of the organizations are: - The Islamic Society and all its branches, Gaza (welfare organization, culture, religion, sports); - Islamic Headquarters - Islamic Society Club - Muslim Girls Association (similar to the YWCA) - Holy Land Institute (grants for needy students) - The Islamic Welfare Society and all its branches (orphanage) - Society of the Alms Givers, and all its branches.

     Hamas leaders have noted that the closure of these institutions does not affect the operation of Hamas, but rather harms the Palestinian people and the infrastructure that serves them. These services are currently unavailable elsewhere, and the ongoing crippling closure has added to the number of people in need of such charitable services.

     In the West Bank, the PA police closed the Afaq TV station and arrested owner Issa Abu Aliz. In addition, another 13 Hamas members were arrested by the PA police, bringing to over 90 the number of Palestinians arrested illegally by the PA police since 4 September.

     LAW and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights notes with grave concern that the PA has essentially been forced by the United States and Israel to carry out repressive and illegal measures against its own people. This kind of pressure cannot be seen as a justification to deny Palestinian citizens the fundamental human rights of due process, association and expression. LAW calls on the PA to re-open the charitable organizations, to stop interference with the media and re-open the Afaq radio station, and either to bring to trial or release immediately all those illegally arrested. _______________________________________________________

LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAW is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). The Palestinian Center for Human Rights is an independent legal agency dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights. PCHR is also an affiliate member of FIDH.

M I D - E A S T    R E A L I T I E S 

(202) 362-5266, Ext 638      Fax: (202) 362-6965      MER@MiddleEast.Org

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