“Thousands” of Fatah Activists Flock to Gaza for Arafat Death Anniversary

PNA Presidency-controlled Palestine News Agency, WAFA, in Arabic at 0809 gmt on 12 November reports: “This morning, thousands of citizens from all the Gaza Strip governorates took to the streets, hoisting Palestinian flags, Fatah banners, and photos of martyr Yasir Arafat and President Mahmud Abbas in defiance of the roadblocks that Hamas set up all over the Strip.

“The citizens were forced to remove the banners, flags, and photos of Fatah figures, mainly those of late President Arafat after the Hamas militias confiscated the banners and kaffiyehs that were prepared to commemorate the third anniversary of Arafat’s death.”

The report further cites eyewitnesses as saying that “since early this morning, a large number of citizens are walking towards the Al- Katibah square, where the main rally will be held, because they cannot find transpiration after the Executive Force confiscated many buses that were set to transport people to the celebration.

“Those present at the site are hoisting placards calling for the return of refugees and sticking to Palestinian rights. They are chanting slogans recalling the historic struggle of martyr Yasir Arafat and praising Arafat’s struggle and heroic actions. Other were calling for following Arafat’s footsteps and not renounce the Palestinian rights for the sake of which he was martyred.”

Hamas Denounces Fatah’s Disturbances in Gaza on Arafat’s Death Anniversary

Palestinian Information Centre, website of Hamas, in Arabic at 0813 gmt reports: “Hamas has denounced the ‘blatant attacks’ by Fatah anarchists against Shaykh Farid Qadih, acting Khuza’ah mayor, and their acts of chaos and disturbances in the eastern area, exploiting the occasion of the third anniversary of the assassination of Palestinian President Yasir Arafat.”

The report further cites a statement by the Hamas Information Office in Khan Yunis, “denouncing the exploitation of the ‘painful anniversary in the hearts of the Palestinians.” It stressed that “the criminals who were involved in the assassination of the late president are the same people who obstructed the investigation so as not to be held accountable. And today they are exploiting this anniversary and using the headquarters of the late president in Ramallah to commit their crimes and those of the occupation so as to spread discord and stir up the chaos and destruction anew.’ The movement further stated: ‘In light of these criminal practices and conduct, we call on the Interior Ministry to act firmly against the outlawed people and those stirring up chaos and discord by pursuing them everywhere and bringing them to justice.’ It noted that the anniversary of Arafat’s death ‘requires unity, resumption of dialogue, and consolidating the domestic front to confront any attempt to blackmail the Palestinian people and to thwart schemes to make concessions at the Annapolis meeting.’”

Sources: As listed

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