Anger of Palestinians against their government after the death of activist Nizar Banat

Published on : 06/27/2021 – 10:07

Protesters clashed with Palestinian security forces in the occupied West Bank on Saturday (June 26th) on the third day of protests after the death of a human rights activist detained by the Palestinian Authority.

Nizar Banat, a 43-year-old Palestinian, was known for his videos posted on social media criticizing the Palestinian Authority chaired by Mahmoud Abbas, whom he accused of corruption.

His death Thursday, June 24, hours after his arrest by Palestinian security forces sparked outrage in the West Bank where protesters called for the departure of the Palestinian president.

On Saturday, a few thousand people took to the streets in Hebron and in the city of Ramallah where the Palestinian Authority sits. Placards waved by demonstrators carried the inscription: “go”.

For Palestinian activist Ismat Mansour, the death of Nizar Banat is only “the tip of the iceberg”. “We want to dissolve the government and the elections so that the people can choose their leaders again,” he said, accusing the Palestinian Authority of corruption. In Ramallah, demonstrators threw stones at the enlisted security forces who responded by throwing tear gas canisters at the crowd.

Thousands of people attended the funeral of Nizar Banat in Hebron on Friday. “The people want the fall of the regime,” chanted the crowd gathered in the town where the activist resided and where he was buried in the afternoon.

Opening of an investigation

The activist was arrested at dawn Thursday at his uncle’s home in Dura, then taken into custody, according to his family who accuses the Palestinian security forces of having “murdered” him.

The forensic pathologist in charge of his autopsy reported signs of blows to the head, chest, neck, legs and hands. Less than an hour passed between the beatings and his death, said doctor Samir Abou Zarzour.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has announced the opening of an investigation.

Nizar Banat had been a candidate on a list of independents in the Palestinian legislative elections, the first in 15 years, which were to be held in May before being postponed indefinitely by Mahmoud Abbas.

Some 84 percent of Palestinians believe the PA is corrupt, according to a poll released in mid-June by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Policy and Poll Research Center (PCPSR).

The Palestinian Authority exercises only limited powers over approximately 40% of the West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by the Israeli army since 1967. Israel, which controls all access, administers 60% of this territory as well as its settlements.

With AFP