The News International, Friday, December 14, 2007
By Debbie Menon
Just another stroke against democracy in Palestine, whatever little of it has been allowed to develop in this region. Let us not forget, Hamas’ network of charities, schools and clinics was a key factor in the rising popularity of the movement and contributed to its victory over Fatah in parliament elections in 2006. At the same time, Fatah was weakened by deadlock in peace talks with Israel and widespread official corruption and mismanagement.
Fatah has now with the assistance of US/Israel moved systematically against Hamas in the West Bank. Its security forces have arrested hundreds of Hamas supporters, and issued regulations to cut off Hamas funding from abroad. Information minister Riad Malki said the government in the West Bank dissolved 92 Hamas-linked charity committees. The committees collected money and distributed it among the poor, usually during religious holidays. They were ordered to close down two weeks ago. One of the committees closed down by Abbas, in the West Bank city of Nablus, said it provided aid to 3,200 families and 3,000 orphans, at a cost of $212,000 to $282,000 a month. In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the closure of the charities will lead to hunger in the West Bank. “It’s an attempt to weaken Hamas, but the Palestinian citizen will pay the price, because they benefit from these committees.”
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