In case you haven't noticed it amid the coverage of the World Cup, the French Open, the start of hurricane season, and the Steelers' QB's motorcycle accident - it looks like the Palestine Authority is collapsing into civil war, or something like it.
Posted by armand at June 12, 2006 10:09 PM | TrackBack | Posted to International AffairsIn a dramatic escalation of violence that has been simmering for several days, hundreds of gunmen loyal to President Abbas' Fatah Party set fire to the West Bank office of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Ramallah. The office is unoccupied because Israeli travel restrictions prevent Hamas leaders from traveling from Gaza to the West Bank. A short while later gunmen loyal to Fatah, fired on the Palestinian Parliament building in Ramallah, setting it on fire ...
Tensions have risen dramatically since Saturday when President Abbas ordered a referendum to be held on July 26th, when Palestinians will be asked to approve a measure that calls for a Palestinian state to exist alongside Israel. The measure, if approved, would in effect call on Hamas to recognize Israel -- something Hamas has refused to do.
I have to admit that I'd have been stunned if they'd gotten to, oh, the end of the summer without something resembling a civil war.
Posted by: jacflash at June 12, 2006 10:41 PM | PERMALINKWell yeah I have to agree with you on that - that this has to come to pass isn't surprising - but I am surprised (a bit) that things have devloved to this so quickly.
Posted by: Armand at June 13, 2006 08:09 AM | PERMALINK