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Last update - 23:07 02/01/2009
Palestinian police ban pro-Hamas rallies in West Bank
By The Associated Press
Tags: Hamas, West Bank, Israel news 

Palestinian police violently cracked down on protests organized by their rivals in Hamas throughout the West Bank on Friday as rallies against Israeli air strikes in Gaza turned into demonstrations against the Palestinian Authority.

Police of Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority pounced on demonstrators protesting seven days of heavy Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip targeting the militant Hamas movement.

Security forces particularly focused on anyone carrying Hamas' green flags, a telling indication of Abbas' determination to thwart any challenges to its own rule in the West Bank from Hamas.
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Feelings are running high among Palestinians and across the Middle East against the strikes which have killed at least 400 Palestinians, including around 100 civilians, according to a United Nations estimate.

Abbas, together with his allies in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have blamed Hamas for bringing the attacks on themselves by repeatedly firing rockets into Israel. These criticisms, though, have angered many in the face of Israel's assaults.

"Abu Mazen (Abbas) is on the side of the Jews!" yelled 66-year-old Umm Maher at a small demonstration in east Jerusalem, referring to Abbas by his nickname.

Israeli police quickly dispersed the few dozen protesters in that demonstration, but elsewhere, it was the security forces of the Palestinian Authority stopping the rallies against Israel's actions.

In the southern West Bank city of Hebron, demonstrators who for decades had been throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers, now pelted Palestinian police after they tried to disperse 400 Hamas loyalists brandishing the movement's green flag.

"We will prohibit any signs and slogans that are hostile to the Palestinian Authority, and prohibit incitement," said Riyad Malki, Information Minister. "Security forces have been instructed to deal with these demonstrations."

Police detained five Hamas supporters at a 3,000-strong demonstration in the central West Bank town of Ramallah and ripped up placards with pro-Hamas slogans.

"The more they try to suppress us, the more popular we will become," vowed Muna Mansour, a prominent Hamas member.

In several cases, the Palestinian police stopped protesters from approaching some of the Israeli checkpoints scattered around the West Bank, which youths target with rocks and firebombs.

Demonstrators were shocked to suddenly find themselves clashing with their own police forces.

"When I saw the police coming with their batons, I thought of the Jews. They also don't deal with people except with clubs and live bullets," said Najiyeh Awdeh, a 50-year-old protester, referring to Israeli forces.

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      1.   Dont want to give IDF an excuse 23:32  |  Dave Duncan 02/01/09
      2.   And the result will be 23:55  |  Jim 02/01/09
      3.   PA Police 00:17  |  Anne 03/01/09
      4.   Tough spot but about time they stood in it 02:32  |  Joe Frazier 03/01/09
      5.   Civil war in the making? 04:11  |  Mark B. 03/01/09
      6.   The chances Israel misses 07:50  |  Mark B. 03/01/09
      7.   This simply strengthens Hamas... 08:05  |  BBSNews 03/01/09
      8.   Cracking down on Hamas support or criticism of Israel? 08:26  |  Palestinian Brits 03/01/09
      9.   The PA is doing what it must and should.. 09:03  |  Basil 03/01/09
      10.   #7 Basil, it is the opposite 10:40  |  Mark B. 03/01/09
      11.   to Basil on Barak 11:02  |  Basilicum 03/01/09
      12.   I urge Hamas and Fatah to keep fighting each other 11:11  |  Uri 03/01/09
      13.   # Mark B, you are right, Mark 15:49  |  Khaled 03/01/09
      14.   Palestinian police ban pro-Hamas rallies in West Bank 19:19  |  Marcello 03/01/09
      15.   Fatah Quislings Toe The Israeli Line 19:35  |  chet 03/01/09
      16.   Abbas to be Rewarded 20:18  |  Ken 03/01/09
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