Palestinians alarmed by lawlessness in West Bank
A state of insecurity has become widespread in the West Bank, raising fears among Palestinians of the uncertain future that awaits them.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The July 22 assassination attempt of Nasser al-Din al-Shaer, a former deputy prime minister who is close to Hamas, near the West Bank city of Nablus was another example of the state of unruliness plaguing the West Bank.
Many Palestinians fear that this disorder could soon spur acts of reprisal as part of settling political and personal scores amid the decline of the state's presence and prestige.
The failed assassination attempt took place in the town of Kafr Qelil near Nablus. Unknown gunmen shot at Shaer’s vehicle; he received six bullets in his feet and remains under treatment.
The incident was condemned by the highest level of the Palestinian Authority (PA), starting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, both of whom pledged to put an end to cases of lawlessness.
