Palestinians ask Israel for help
as pro-Bin Laden riots spread
|
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
GAZA Ñ The Palestinian Authority is on emergency alert amid
unprecedented unrest against the rule of chairman Yasser Arafat.
Officials said the PA has boosted security throughout the West Bank and
Gaza amid riots in several cities. At least three people were killed and a
dozen people were injured in clashes since Monday.
Israeli sources said the PA has asked the Jewish state for riot control
systems. The sources said Israel has not responded to the request.
The PA has shut down several universities and deployed officers in major
intersections to preserve order. Officials said the concern is that
opposition elements will join to foment unrest against the Arafat regime.
The rioters have torched two Palestinian police stations and attempted
to attack other facilities throughout the Gaza Strip. Opposition groups have
blamed PA police chief Brig. Gen. Ghazi Jabali for the killings and have
called for his dismissal.
"The leadership regrets these painful incidents," a PA statement said.
"It calls on all national and Islamic forces to stand firm against elements
who are trying to distort our strong national unity."
The violence began on Monday when university students held pro-Bin Laden
demonstrations in Gaza City. Police used tear gas to disperse the
demonstrators.
When that failed police opened fire on the demonstrators, some of them
who were seen holding firearms. Three people were killed and 12 were
injured.
The riots spread to other cities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. In
some cases, Palestinians attacked police stations. In all, several dozen
people were injured.
Arafat was not in Gaza at the time. He was on tour of the Middle East
and the Gulf.
The PA has increased security in Gaza. They also banned media coverage
of demonstrations.
But the unrest continued on Tuesday. About 1,500 students marched in
support of Bin Laden at Nablus's An Najah University.
Also in Nablus, a Palestinian detained on charges of collaborating with
Israel was found dead. The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group said
this was 27th Palestinian to die in custody since 1994.
|