Dahlan Case Shows Split In Palestinian Fatah Movement
The dispute over the immunity of Fatah-affiliated MP Mohamed Dahlan has revealed rifts between members of the Fatah Movement, writes Naela Khalil.
The issue of Fatah-affiliated MP Mohammed Dahlan has once again topped Palestinian news, as proceedings at the Constitutional Court are to be held on March 28, to consider the appeal presented by Dahlan against President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to strip him of immunity.
The different views on “Dahlan’s immunity” reflect the deep conflict within Fatah between those who support Dahlan and those who oppose him. Meanwhile, some figures in Fatah say that efforts are being made to persuade Abbas to withdraw the presidential decree to lift immunity before the court’s session.
“The president does not intend to withdraw the decree, which was issued in light of a lawsuit against MP Dahlan before the public prosecution, and immunity in this case could hamper investigations,” said Hassan Alaoura, the legal adviser to the president.
For his part, Sufian Zaida, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, said, “After a year and half, the Palestinian Authority has failed to prove any charges against Dahlan.”
