Well Nadine, here is an article I found dated today. Interesting to wait and see the next moves of the Palestenians. Will they answer the call of the Fatah? Is this an opportune moment for Israel to seize and do what they have always hesitated to do, move into Gaza and go after Hamas.
Jobless Palestinians demand action from Arafat
By Ross Dunn, Herald Correspondent in Jerusalem
July 3 2002
Work and food have become higher priorities than statehood for thousands of unemployed Palestinians, who have taken to the streets to demand that the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, find them jobs.
The state of the Palestinian economy is threatening to test Mr Arafat's authority, a week after the United States President, George Bush, demanded the Palestinians choose a new leader.
In response to the US call, Mr Arafat's Fatah group, the main faction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, issued a statement calling upon all Palestinian groups to attack "Zionist and American targets everywhere".
The military wing of Fatah, the Al-Aqsa Brigades, said in the statement that the threat should be carried out as long as the US Administration maintains its opposition to the Palestinian leader.
Although most Palestinians are not prepared to topple Mr Arafat, many have challenged him to provide them either with unemployment benefits or work to compensate for the jobs they have lost in Israel.
Israeli work permits issued to more than 100,000 Palestinians before the start of clashes 22 months ago have been cancelled.
There were clashes with police as more than 5000 demonstrators took part in what was dubbed a "starvation march" in Gaza City this week.
One protester, a father of six, accused PLO officials of stealing money donated for the poor by Arab countries and the international community.
"I've been out of work for two years and I got a total of 1100 shekels [less than $A500]," he said. "We are on the verge of starvation and every day I worry - what will my children eat?"
Many demonstrators hesitated to blame Mr Arafat. "There is no problem with al-Khetiar [the Old Man] but all faces around him must be removed," said Ahmad el-Laham, of Khan Younis refugee camp, in the south.
Another protester accused senior PLO officials of "sending their sons to Europe, while their fellow Palestinians are dying of starvation".
Others carried signs reading: "Work not charity" and "Lift the closure on Gaza". Some waved pieces of stale pita bread attached to sticks, or banged on empty food bowls.
Mr Arafat, who has remained in Ramallah since December - possibly fearing that should he leave the West Bank, he might not be allowed to return - was not at hand to speak to the protesters.
However, the fact he has not visited the Gaza Strip for more than six months may have added to the feeling of many residents that the territory is without leadership and Mr Arafat has left them to their own fate.
This story was found at: smh.com.au |
