Mon Dec 30 10:42:39 UTC 2024: ## Palestinian Authority Crackdown in Jenin Condemned Amidst Fears of West Bank Annexation
**Beirut, Lebanon** – The Palestinian Authority’s (PA) ongoing security operation in the Jenin refugee camp has sparked widespread condemnation, following the death of a journalist allegedly killed by PA gunfire. The crackdown, described by experts as an attempt to regain control and appease the incoming US administration, has instead drawn criticism for mirroring Israeli tactics and failing to garner Palestinian support.
The operation, launched in early December, has seen the PA deploy armored vehicles, indiscriminately fire on civilians, and employ harsh detention methods. The killing of 21-year-old journalist Shatha Sabbagh has further fueled outrage, with her family blaming PA forces.
Experts suggest the PA’s actions are motivated by a desire to demonstrate its usefulness to Israel and the United States, particularly amidst growing calls within the Israeli government to dismantle the PA. The operation comes in the wake of increased Israeli raids and attacks in the West Bank, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths since October 7th. The PA’s tactics, including cutting off essential services, are seen as echoing those used by Israeli forces.
Critics argue the PA’s actions prioritize Israeli interests over the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, a point echoed by former PA advisor Diana Buttu, who blames PA leader Mahmoud Abbas for clinging to the defunct Oslo Accords. She claims the PA is targeting those seeking liberation from Israel, not the PA itself.
The PA’s actions are viewed as a desperate attempt to survive in the face of potential annexation by Israel, a move experts predict will occur regardless of the PA’s actions. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s previous threat to cut off Palestinian access to the Israeli banking system highlights this danger. While a temporary waiver has been granted, the future remains uncertain under the incoming Trump administration, potentially leading to the PA’s economic collapse and facilitating annexation.
Experts warn that the resulting chaos could serve as a pretext for further Israeli actions, including ethnic cleansing. The PA, isolated from regional states and its own people, is seen as increasingly reliant on Israel and its Western backers for survival, its future hanging precariously in the balance.
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