By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
GAZA CITY, Gaza – Hamas policemen in Gaza, arrested dozens of Fatah members following an outbreak of violence during a rally organized by Fatah. Over 200,000 Palestinians participated in the rally, the largest show of public support for Fatah since the Hamas take over in June. The rally ended in violence, when Hamas policemen opened fire and killed at least 6 people, all civilians. Hamas claims that Fatah gunmen fired on members of Hamas’ Executive Force and the police were just returning fire. However, in an unusually critical statement by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), the organization reported that members of Hamas provoked the violence by driving their car into groups of demonstrators. This action caused the demonstrators to throw stones at the police and to shout “Shia, Shia”, a derogatory reference to Hamas’ support from Iran.
Even, the Islamic Jihad criticized the excessive use of force. Nafez Azzam, leader of the Islamic Jihad, stated that “despite all the political differences, it is forbidden and taboo to open fire randomly on a mass popular demonstration.
Fatah and most news sources report that over 400 Fatah loyalists were arrested later on Monday. However, Hamas reports that 50 individuals were detained and dozens more asked to come in for questioning. Hamas’ spokesperson stated that the individuals were not detained for their political affiliation, but rather because they were the one who organized the rally and are “suspected of being responsible for the chaos that took place.”
PCHR also criticized Hamas’ actions following the outbreak of violence at the rally. For instance, it reported that members of the Hamas’ police force chased and beat rally participants with batons; members of the media were attacked and had their cameras confiscated; and the use of force against a funeral procession later on November 12, injuring three.
In addition to the arrests, Hamas is also enacting harsh restriction on the members of the media, detaining those without an official Hamas-issued press card. However, in order to acquire a Hamas-issued press card, the news organization must consent to vague bans on which stories may be reported on. Hamas justified the restrictions by stating that during the violence following the rally, journalists were seen using their cameras not to report the news, but for the benefit of political parties.
For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Hamas round up Fatah members – 14 November 2007
Chicago Tribune – Activists for Fatah detained – 14 November 2007
Guardian – Fatah loyalists held by Hamas after rally – 14 November 2007
Independent – Mourning families in Gaza blame Hamasfor deaths at rally – 14 November 2007
International Herald Tribune – Hamas widens crackdown with new press restrictions – 14 November 2007
Associated Press – Hamas cracks down after deadly violence – 13 November 2007
BBC – Fatah members rounded up in Gaza – 13 November 2007
London Times – Hamas carries out mass arrests and puts down Gaza schoolgirl demo – 13 November 2007
New York Times – Hamas arrests Fatah supporters – 13 November 2007
Palestinian Center for Human Rights – PCHR condemns excessive and lethal use of force against civilians in Gaza – 13 November 2007
AFP – Hamas cracks down on Fatah after deadly rally – 12 November 2007
CNN – Fatah: mass arrests follow Gaza violence – 12 November 2007
