RAMALLAH, West Bank — On Rakib Street in downtown Ramallah, a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad occupies a corner of the sidewalk. For nearly a week, it has been a point of controversy among passersby. Some approach the drawing, take a closer look, and then direct words of either admiration or scathing criticism at the artist, Abdul Hadi Yaish. Meanwhile, others take it upon themselves to write comments on the blank space of the painting.

"The portrait transforms into a place for heated debate among passersby. Two days ago, an argument between supporters and opponents of the Assad regime nearly turned into a fistfight," said Hadi, who has turned Rakib Street into a place to display his artwork in the open air for nearly three years.

The comments of passersby reflect the huge division among the Palestinian public regarding the Syrian crisis, between opponents and supporters of the regime. There are comments such as, "Long live Syria! … Leave, Oh Bashar!" "Syria and al-Assad … the Baath Party is stronger than death!" and others that reflect Palestinian public opinion.

Even the marches and vigils organized by Palestinian supporters of the Syrian regime often include heated verbal altercations between regime supporters and opponents. The latter view Assad as a dictator who is killing his own people, and constantly mention that the Assad regime was responsible for the massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon at the Tel al-Zaatar camp in 1976. The most recent such march organized by regime supporters was held Sept. 1.