Image Credit: Rafah Today 2007-04-14.
Plan will fail 'if the world turns its back'
Rafah Today via BBSNews 2007-04-15 -- By Mohammed Omer. 'They are not Palestinians, no way,' declares Abu Ihab, 33, a Gaza-Rafah taxi driver. 'I seriously doubt that those causing chaos and kidnapping foreigners are Palestinians. Whoever is committing these acts have hidden agendas- - to scare away both journalists and those who would report the truth,' he continues. The current internal unrest is, unsurprisingly, most definately not pleasing to Palestinians. With many who oppose the kidnappings, there have been numerous protests and demonstrations calling for an end to such acts and to the turmoil.
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Children are also inside Israeli jails, many of whom were not charged withanything or even shown to courts.
Image Credit: Rafah Today 2007-04-14. |
The new unity government recently launched a 100-day plan, derived from the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is oriented towards increasing security in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Drafted by Interior Minister Hani Al Qawasmeh, the security plan focuses on using strategic means to overcome regional organized crime, and includes the use of thousands of troops to ensure success.
Al Qawasmeh explained to the press that the PA plan, adopted by the unity government, would specifically focus on combating incidents of kidnapping and gunfire in the Gaza Strip and will aim at reducing the illicit use of religion to justify regional violence.
Many appear optimistic about the matter. Samia Handi, a 23 year-old Gazan university student relayed her optimism: 'I think this plan will succeed, but only if all Palestinian security forces join in the effort to confront these problems and conflicts in both Gaza and the West Bank.'
'The plan includes the rejection of using mosques to defame others, and as well standardizes religious sermons,' stated Minister Qawasmeh. 'Weapons in the hands of the Palestinians must be under control and must not be used against the national interest,' he added in a meeting.
Yet, in that same context, in Rafah two Palestinians, both from Sheikh Al Eid family, were killed by gunmen in an inter-family attack. The gunfire began with members of both families shooting at each other in the main Al Awda square in Rafah.
Will this plan succeed? An unpredictable yes or no. Yes, success and a step towards calm are viable if the international community supports the Palestinian unity government and empowers the security system with a resumption of financial aid. But it will be a resounding no if the world turns its back, leaving a Palestine drawn in the mud by those with the hidden agenda of destroying Palestine and Palestinians' image around the world.
Palestinian prisoners families had also different demonstrations throughout Gaza Strip and West Bank, asking international community to interfere by putting pressure on Israel to release all Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. The demonstration protests take place close to the main International Red Cross officer.
Mohammed Omer is a young journalist/photographer in the Gaza Strip. He and his family have a very rough time in living day to day and they have lost much. In October of 2003, one of Mohammed's younger bothers, Issam, was injured and had to have a leg amputated. Later in the same month another younger brother, Hussam Al-Mouhagir, was killed in his home; shot to death by the Israeli Army that occupies and regularly devastates Palestine. These stories are written by Mohammed who knows no peace, only the continued devastation forced upon civilians who have little voice in the world. Mohammed has covered the Occupied Territories for several years. In 2006 Mohammed won the New American Media National Ethnic Media Award for best Youth Voice. Visit Mohammed's Web site, or write to him to get a more complete picture of what is really happening that main-stream news sources rarely brings to its audience. We are proud to feature articles from Mohammed Omer here at BBSNews, his reporting is some of the only original, on the ground reporting available from the Israeli Occupied Territories.
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