Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Hamas Support Grows in West Bank

Palestinians call for tougher stance from president

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2009 10:38 AM CST

(Newser) – As violence continues in Gaza, support for Hamas is growing in the Fatah-controlled West Bank, the New York Times reports. Though demonstrations of solidarity with Hamas have thus far been relatively small, West Bank residents see Gaza as “part of themselves,” writes Steven Erlanger. Still, there’s little appetite for uprising after years of conflict. “The people are tired,” says a restaurateur.

In Times interviews, West Bank Palestinians said they wanted Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, to more strongly condemn Israel; they also said they felt threatened by Abbas’ security forces amid a crackdown on open support for Hamas. “They only want Fatah here, despite the fact that 80% of the people are in total solidarity with Gaza and against the repression of the Palestinian Authority,” a lawyer said.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (AP Photo/Fadi Arouri)

Palestinians hold candles while chanting anti-Israel slogans during a protest of Israel's military operation in Gaza, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

West Bank Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and yellow flags depicting imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti during a protest against Israel's Gaza offensive, Jan. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The only right thing is resistance. If there is no resistance against the occupation, there is no Palestinian cause. But if you resist now, everyone says you’re Hamas, and it’s wrong!” - West Bank farmer Mahmoud Hanaisheh

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Abbas Calls for Renewed Talks With Hamas

About-face signals frustration with Bush-led peace talks

(NEWSER) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offered an unexpected olive branch to Hamas yesterday, reports the New York Times. Abbas, in control of only the West Bank since the Islamic militant group seized Gaza last year, said it was time for national unity talks aimed at forming a new government. The move could signal the total breakdown of faltering peace talks with Israel. More»

Olmert, Abbas Talk on Palestinian Soil

Jericho get-together signals progress in stalled peace process

(NEWSER) - Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas met in the West Bank city of Jericho today, the first time an Israeli head of state has been to the Palestinian territories in 7 years. The meeting was an attempt by both parties to bolster the moderate Fatah party’s standing and to bring momentum to the two-state peace process, the Times reports. More»

Rice Pushes Peace Talks With Olmert, Abbas

Takes mission to Jerusalem, West Bank

(NEWSER) - Condoleezza Rice took her diplomatic tour to Jerusalem and the West Bank today, hoping to rekindle peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas. Rice comes bearing a promise from Saudi Arabia to support the peace conference proposed by the White House for later this year, Reuters reports. More»

Israel to Release 250 Fatah Prisoners

PM Olmert makes pledge at summit with Arab leaders

(NEWSER) - Israel plans to free 250 Fatah members as part of an international push to shore up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Washington Post reports.The announcement came at the close of a summit at a Red Sea resort, where Mideast leaders gathered to talk about dealing with Hamas in the wake of the Gaza takeover. More»

Gazans Stuck in Israel Tunnel

No way out for those trapped in Erez passage en route to West Bank

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of Gazans hoping to escape Hamas are boxed in a filthy tunnel at a major crossing point with Israel, awaiting safe passage to the calmer West Bank. Israeli authorities are citing security concerns in checking the Palestinians, some of whom were wounded when Hamas attacked the tunnel at the Erez crossing yesterday. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Hamas Support Grows in West Bank