Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets on Wednesday night in the West Bank to protest the latest punitive measures imposed on the Gaza Strip by Palestine Authority (PA), forcing terrible living conditions and poverty on the Gaza Strip.
Protesters gathered in the streets of Ramallah City calling President Mahmoud Abbas to lift the sanctions imposed on Gaza carrying banners that read “Lift Sanctions Imposed on Gaza” and “No for Punitive Measures on Gaza.”
The main reason triggered the protests was the latest punitive measures and sanctions taken by the PA (Palestinian Authority) to isolate Hamas, the faction that runs Gaza Strip and the rival of Fatah, unconcerned about a million and a half Palestinians who live in an unlivable humanitarian situation.
During the protest, security forces in civilian clothing confronted protesters, firing tear gas bombs and arresting dozens after dragging them along the streets.
The PA has been put in a difficult spot recently for oppressing protests and freedoms, especially after releasing a statement banning all demonstrations in the West Bank citing Eid el-Fitr as justification.
Therefore, protesters promised they will go on more protests during the coming days challenging the ban imposed by the PA on Gaza.
Palestinians also took to social media using hashtag: “ارفعوا_العقوبات” or “Lift Sanctions” to share images and videos of suppressing protesters by force, attacking them and arresting several people.
Deploying force against protesters casted doubts over the PA role in maintaining the blockade on the Strip, instead of helping Gazans to get over their harsh daily living conditions.
Several videos and images were shared among social media users from the protests.
Mariam Barghouti, a Ramallah-based Palestinian American writer, tweeted describing Ramallah during the clashes as “war zone”.
Other videos had documented the PA violently attacking journalists and trying to seize their cameras.
Two American and Turkish journalists were reportedly arrested by security officials, according to Quds News Network.
Despite the fact the Gaza is under an Israeli blockade since 2007, PA imposed many sanctions during the last year including lower salary payments for hundreds of PA civil servants in the Strip, in addition to limiting the amount of medical supplies that are allowed to enter.
The protests organizers confirmed they don’t belong to any political faction after they were accused of being pro-Hamas. They claim they are protesting for the Palestinian unity after a decade-long split.
