Skip to main content

Palestinian security forces round up Dahlan supporters in West Bank

Palestinian security forces are arresting supporters of exiled Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan following Israel's normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain.

Palestinians hold pictures of late leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza City on November 9, 2017, during a festival to commemorate the 13th anniversary of his death. 
According to organisers, the event was called by exiled Palestinian politician Mohammed Dahlan (portrait), partly to celebrate a recently agreed reconciliation agreement between the major Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. Dahlan has been in exile in the UAE since falling out with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and expelled from his Fatah movem
Palestinians hold pictures of late leader Yasser Arafat and exiled Palestinian politician Mohammed Dahlan (portrait) on Nov. 9, 2017, during a festival to commemorate the 13th anniversary of Arafat's death in Gaza City. — MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

The decision by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel has prompted an internal political realignment in the Palestinian territories, especially in the West Bank.

The two gulf countries' decision to turn away from the Arab Peace Initiative has brought Hamas and Fatah closer than ever to each other, at least for now, and has increased the chances of general Palestinian elections. At the same time, it has increased tensions within the ruling Fatah movement. Supporters of exiled Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan appears to be taking the brunt of the Fatah leadership's anger.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in