Ban on Hamas’ student bloc stirs angry reactions
Fatah's student party, Shabiba, at An-Najah National University in Nablus announced banning the Islamic Bloc, Hamas' student wing, and closing its headquarters, which stirred fears of the Gaza tension spilling into the West Bank.
Public protests were staged March 14-15 in the Gaza Strip against the dire living conditions and harsh conduct of the Hamas-affiliated security forces against the protesters. Meanwhile, reactions to these incidents in the West Bank appeared in the form of media statements or measures on the ground.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described Hamas as a “dark movement that will end up in the trash can of history.” This came during a phone conversation between Abbas and Fatah spokesman Atef Abu Seif who was injured March 19 during the events in Gaza. The video of the conversation was posted on Facebook.
PLO Executive Committee Secretary-General Saeb Erekat tweeted March 15 his condemnation of Hamas' attacks on the protesters demanding an end to the movement's rebellion.
On March 18, Hussein al-Sheikh, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, told Al-Arabiya that Gaza’s protests are against Hamas’ oppression and that Fatah supports them.
