On the Security Chaos in the Palestinian Authority

The following are excerpts from a report on the security chaos in the Palestinian Authority, which was aired on July 3, 2005, by Al-Arabiya TV.

Reporter: Considering sights like these, the domestic Palestinian situation does not look good at all. On the one hand, the occupation imposes a bitter reality upon the Palestinian people and their leadership, and on the other hand, a state of security chaos prevails in the country, from Rafah in the south to Jenin in the north. As a result, there are different priorities and methods. The Palestinian leadership is incapable of setting a strategy that will unite everyone in one direction under one leadership.

The vague and complex domestic situation makes it hard to known who to blame. The finger is pointed at the helpless Authority, the enraged (militant) factions, and the man on the street, who only wants to live in security and with dignity.

Palestinian National Security Advisor Jibril Rajoub: I believe this issue is not being handled properly. The president has made a clear decision to take care of the problem of the armed brothers by absorbing them, by treating them justly, and by resolving all their problems.

An Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leader in Ramallah: Some of the PA leaders fear for their jobs and for their bank accounts. They change cars every month. We don't know how to relate to them. There is no trust between us. When we held a dialogue with them, it turned into procrastination. When we began to use a language different from the language of words, they renounced us and treated us like hooligans, outlaws, and mercenaries. We are not mercenaries, hooligans, or outlaws. We carry a message of truth.