Palestinian Authority Lost Position Among People, Expects Loss in Elections: Expert

Al- Murder of the vocal critic of the Palestinian Authority Nizar Banat at the hand of security forces has gained massive reflection among media and political circles in Palestine. The Activist was arrested and his body was returned to his family by the security forces last Thursday after a series of revelations against the PA over the provision and injection of expired coronavirus vaccines and its role in collaborating with the Saudi Arabian regime in killing Saudi dissidents. Widespread protests erupted in Palestine after the release of the video of his arrest, followed by remarks by his daughter. 

Alwaght talked to Hassan Hanizadeh, an expert of Palestinian affairs, to shed light on dimesions of this heinous murder. 

Killing Banat was a free service to the Israeli regime 

Asked about the aims behind the crime, Hanizadeh said that the Palestinian activist was one of the popular figures, with decisive influence on the social, journalistic, and political issues. His role in informing the press about the recent 12-day war waged by the Israeli regime on Gaza Strip made Banat gain more popular legitimacy. 

"Therefore, the Israeli regime repeatedly tried to assassinate him, and finally, as a result of the coordination, the plot to assassinate him was undertaken by the Palestinian Authority. Such crimes are not unprecedented. In the past, any political figure who opposed the process of compromise and cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Tel Aviv was assassinated either by the Israelis or by the Palestinian Authority's forces. The recent action of the Palestinian Authority can be considered a kind of game on the Israeli ground to satisfy Tel Aviv. But it delivered the reverse." 

Banat assassination to push national reconciliation dialogue to impasse 

Commenting on the consequences of this crime on the Egyptian-sponsored national Palestinian dialogue, Mr Hanizadeh held that Egypt had repeatedly played as a mediator between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Cairo, also acted as mediator when confrontation between Hamas and Israeli regime erupted.

"But we should know that the Egyptian role is for short term and in long term it seeks to corner Hamas. Concerning the recent developments, we should know that the Palestinian Authority's actions push things to a dead end. So, we can predict that the Egyptian initiatives will run into an impasse in the long run. 

Palestinian Authority seeking to ignore a crisis 

Mr Hanizadeh made comments on an appropriate strategy for Hamas in response to Palestinian Authority's actions, saying in the past few days, and even at the funeral of Banat, the Palestinian people have explicitly sent an important message to the Palestinian Authority that if it continues to physically eliminate popular Palestinian figures, it will have to bear heavy consequences. In particular, it is important to note that the Palestinian Authority now has ahead the local and national elections, and that Hamas will participate in these elections. 

"But in the meantime, it is trying to create a deep rift between the political factions and the citizens of the occupied territories, in order to pave the way for victory in the elections." 

Palestinian Authority lost the political game to Hamas 

Mr Hanizadeh was also asked about the future of the Palestinian Authority. "The Palestinian Authority has lost its position among the Palestinian people," he answered, adding that since 1994, this political body has practically been in power in the occupied territories. It has always tried to keep the Palestinian people calm and content by making concessions to Tel Aviv and negotiating with it, but the recent war between Hamas and the Israeli regime made Hamas popularity surge, even among the Palestinians of the West Bank and territories of 1948. "If an electron is held presently, Hamas will secure a majority in the parliamentary vote. In general, the Palestinian Authority is extremely concerned about dramatic Hamas popularity boost."