Fatah confident but leadership in doubt

GAZA CITY,Gaza Strip-Energized by a huge protest rally, activists with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement have emerged from five months of seclusion in hopes of regaining power in the Gaza Strip.Following their resounding defeat in June, when the Islamic militant group Hamas took control of Gaza, Fatah backers in recent days have raised yellow banners in the streets and held public wakes for those killed during the Nov. 12 rally. They've defiantly passed out Fatah emblems to wounded friends in Hamas-run hospitals and fired guns in the air despite a Hamas-imposed public ban.Fatah leaders believe the rally of about 250,000 people, along with Hamas' violent response, which killed eight and wounded 85, signaled the start of a popular uprising that will sweep the Fatah movement back to power in Gaza.Others say Abbas' party is too fractured and disorganized to take the lead in bringing down Hamas. After its violent takeover, Hamas closed most Fatah offices and media outlets in Gaza and senior Fatah leaders fled to the West Bank."I think the (rally's) turnout indicated a rejection of the status quo," said Naji Shurrab, a political scientist at the Fatah-affiliated Al Azhar University in Gaza City. "I don't think this is a reflection that Fatah managed to rearrange itself."Fatah leaders in Gaza acknowledge they have a long way to go, but are energized by the growing disillusionment with Hamas' performance and a change in mood.Last week, in a fiery tirade, the usually businesslike Abbas called publicly for bringing down Hamas. In the past, he had demanded only that Hamas apologize and refused to speak to the group until it reverses the takeover. Dissatisfaction with Hamas is growing because of sweeping economic sanctions that have deepened poverty, along with the group's heavy-handedness in dealing with opposition.
Fatah, founded in the mid-1960s, dominated Palestinian politics until it suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of Hamas in January 2006 parliamentary elections. Many voters said at the time they were punishing Fatah for perceived arrogance, mismanagement and corruption, rather than siding with Hamas' militant ideology.Hamas rejects the existence of Israel and promotes a strict Islamic lifestyle, while Fatah favors peace talks and is more secular.Despite the 2006 election loss, Fatah has resisted internal reforms, and many old-timers remain in key positions. Growing numbers of Palestinian say they are disillusioned with both Hamas and Fatah.Fatah activists in Gaza, though, say they have the chance for a new start since most of their former leaders have left. In many districts in Gaza, new local leaders were elected just before the Hamas takeover.The activists say their protests will be peaceful, and they hope to organize more rallies including a large gathering on Jan. 1 to mark the day of Fatah's founding. Nonviolence is also dictated by circumstance: Hamas has seized many of the weapons of the defeated Fatah-allied security forces and of Fatah gunmen.Hamas accuses Fatah militants of a bombing campaign that targeted several Hamas installations in recent weeks but caused little damage or injuries.It claims Fatah gunmen sparked the unrest at the rally by firing at Hamas security forces, but gave no proof.Fatah denies the claim.Hamas gunmen opened fire at the end of the rally, which marked the third anniversary of the death of legendary Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Human rights groups accuse Hamas of "excessive and indiscriminate" shootings, which killed eight and wounded dozens.After the rally, Hamas rounded up more than 400 Fatah activists. Dozens have been released, but others remain in custody.Radwan, a 26-year-old Fatah member who would not give his last name for fear of retribution by Hamas, has been on the run since the rally and said he worries about Hamas intensifying the crackdown. He said Hamas has taken over all but one Fatah-linked youth club in Gaza City, and fears Al Azhar University also is a target."We will stand up to this by all means," said Radwan, who described his cell of activists as preparing for a Fatah anniversary rally in January without enough guidance."There is no leadership for the field. The current leaders are all young people, members of the districts who meet every week," he said."We don't know what's next."A West Bank spokesman for Fatah, Fahmi Zaarir, said the Gaza activists are in touch with Abbas and his top aides.Hamas has announced plans to curb public gatherings, citing the upcoming Fatah anniversary as an example. Ayman Taha, a Hamas leader, said Fatah should watch its step and "not abuse the freedom that it was given, so as not to cause itself more restrictions."Still, the mood was upbeat at one of the few Fatah offices still operating in Gaza.In one room, senior activist Amal Hamad was checking the names of those injured in the rally to arrange for hospital visits. A popular uprising is within reach, she said."It only needs the will, the determination and the desire to challenge that I see now among now among Fatah supporters," she said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_confident_fatah
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