By Khaled Abu Toameh, JPost—
Charges that the Palestinian Authority was not doing enough to enforce law and order, amid increased scenes of anarchy and violence in some parts of the West Bank, emerged Wednesday.
Palestinian civilians warned that the violence could lead to “civil war,” especially between large clans and armed gangs in Hebron and the northern West Bank.
In the past few days, four universities were shuttered due to violent clashes on campuses between students and rival clans.
Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, south of Jerusalem, closed after masked gunmen from the nearby village of Al-Sawahreh opened fire at cars belonging to students and lecturers. The shooting is connected to a dispute over a parking lot near the university.
Bir Zeit University, north of Ramallah, closed following violent clashes between students belonging to rival Fatah-affiliated groups.
On Tuesday, Hebron University and the Palestine Polytechnic University in Hebron closed after violent brawls erupted between students belonging to feuding clans.
In addition, dozens of houses, businesses and shops were set alight, especially in Hebron, where masked gunmen have been engaged in street fighting over the past week.
Most of the gunmen belong to the Ja’bari and Al-Awaiwi/Abu Eisheh clans. Continue Reading…
