Some Palestinians up in arms over weapons proliferation
The Palestinian Authority is being criticized for failing to end the spread of weapons among citizens in the West Bank, where family disputes often end tragically.
Palestinians have been plagued in recent weeks by a series of shootings in the West Bank — a clear sign of weapons proliferation.
Armed clashes among families and tribes were to blame for many shootings in May, including six in Nablus and one each in Sebastia and Salem, all on May 19; one incident in Hebron between two families in mid-May lasted several days. On May 22, armed family violence broke out in al-Eizariya and in al-Fara refugee camp. Authorities also have been targeted.
Given what he says is a weak Palestinian judiciary, Palestinian police Spokesman Louay Zreikat told Al-Watan Radio on May 27 that security services seize 600 to 1,000 weapons annually in the West Bank as they focus on smuggled weapons used in family disputes and for intimidation.
Zreikat said Israel turns a blind eye to some smuggling and actually facilitates the entry of some weapons to the Palestinian territories as long as the weapons don't appear to be for military use.
