Hamas, not Fatah, is gaining popularity in the West Bank after the deal with Israel to release Palestinian prisoners
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 October 2011
"Palestinians in the West Bank are celebrating the release of the hundreds of prisoners exchanged for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but the political implications of the unprecedented deal look like bad news for the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.....
It was striking that Shalit was escorted to freedom by Ahmed Ja'abari, commander of the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing – a hard man at the sharp end of the fight against Israel. Overall, the prisoner deal seems to advertise the advantages of armed resistance versus the PLO's patient, non-violent – but so far fruitless – diplomacy....
Whatever happens next, there was no escaping the sense that the Palestinian leader most favoured by the west and by Israel was being outstripped by Hamas. "Abbas should be banned [from] celebrations today," tweeted iFalastenya, "because he did nothing to help these prisoners."....."
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 October 2011
"Palestinians in the West Bank are celebrating the release of the hundreds of prisoners exchanged for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but the political implications of the unprecedented deal look like bad news for the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.....
It was striking that Shalit was escorted to freedom by Ahmed Ja'abari, commander of the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing – a hard man at the sharp end of the fight against Israel. Overall, the prisoner deal seems to advertise the advantages of armed resistance versus the PLO's patient, non-violent – but so far fruitless – diplomacy....
Whatever happens next, there was no escaping the sense that the Palestinian leader most favoured by the west and by Israel was being outstripped by Hamas. "Abbas should be banned [from] celebrations today," tweeted iFalastenya, "because he did nothing to help these prisoners."....."
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