After his city became a stronghold of armed squads, the governor of Nablus, Ibrahim Ramadan, warns in a conversation with "Israel Today" that the pressure exerted by the IDF could lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority.
"Today I cannot control every single event. We are on the way to losing control. If Israel continues arrests, killings, invading cities and villages, it will cause the PA to collapse and disintegrate, and in the end it is Israel that will have to take the keys and manage things," says Ramadan.
There are currently hundreds of armed men operating in the city of Nablus and its surroundings, some belonging to Fatah, others identified with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and in between - armed men from various organizations and local squads with no clear organizational affiliation.
In addition to Fatah's military arm, the "Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades", a new organization has recently emerged, operating under the name "Erin Al-Assad", the Lions' Den.
Its people are also involved in shooting attacks against IDF soldiers. Palestinian sources claim that "Erin Alasad" is largely made up of Fatah operatives. The militants control not only the refugee camps near Nablus, including Lata, but also the Kasbah (the Old City).
"Lions Den", the Kasbah in Nablus (for illustration),
Palestinian extremism
"As governor, what can I say to my public? They ask questions on the street, and there are no answers. Israel is a global military power, we don't have a Merkava tank. There is a growing lack of trust between the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority, and Israel is fueling it," Ramadan accuses.
Ramadan points to a process of radicalization in the Palestinian public.
"Just as with you the Israeli people are becoming more right-wing and extreme, the Palestinian people are also going in a more extreme direction. Israel is pushing the Palestinian people into a corner. There is despair in the street. If the situation remains like this, in a year the uprising will reach its peak."
Riots of young Palestinians (for illustration), Ibrahim Ramadan warns against losing control, photo: AFP
The Palestinian public harshly criticizes the Palestinian Authority, and complains that its arms and security mechanisms do not stop the IDF's activity in the cities. "The Authority does not protect us from the occupation, so at least the Palestinian armed forces are doing the job," say Palestinians in Samaria.
Ramadan estimates that the escalation in the area will continue in the near future.
"The escalation will increase because of the upcoming elections in Israel. Each of your candidates wants to get more votes, and the way to get stronger politically is by demonstrating strength at the expense of the Palestinian people. The competition between your right-wing politicians contributes to worsening the situation on the ground. In addition, there are no actual steps to strengthen the two-state idea, The Palestinians have lost faith in America as a fair mediator."
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