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Israel-Palestine
Pro-Yasser Gunnies Shoot Up Reform Conference
2004-08-01
Gunmen loyal to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat opened fire Sunday at a conference of Arafat's Fatah movement, in the latest sign of factional infighting among the Palestinian leadership. The Fatah conference was convened to discuss reform in the Palestinian Authority and to call for elections to the Fatah leadership committees, which have not been held for 15 years. The meeting of about 70 legislators and senior Fatah officials followed weeks of demonstrations against the disarray in the security services and corruption in the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank and Gaza Strip. About 20 armed men broke into the conference on the first day of the weeklong event, firing into the air and above the stage where speakers were seated. No one was injured, but the meeting broke up.
"Took care o' that little problem, didn't we, Mahmoud?"
"Yup. It's the Paleostinian way!"
Several delegates met with the gunmen to discuss whether the conference could continue. The gunmen identified themselves as members of the Al Awda Brigades, a small militant group. One member told the Associated Press they believed the meeting was part of a conspiracy against Arafat.
"That's why Yasser sent us!"
A letter to Arafat drafted by conference delegates denounced the lawlessness in the territories and corruption in the Palestinian Authority. "President Arafat, this might be the last chance for reforming our situation before reaching the end.
"... unless we're there now. I think maybe we are."
"We need a revolution within our Fatah movement," the letter said.
That would seem to involve dumping Yasser, though...
Posted by:Fred

#5  More proof if gangs of Islamic gunmen can't enter Israel to murder Jews they turn quickly against their own 'Muslim brothers'.

The Israeli national security barrier is not only protecting Jewish lives but is thinning out the ranks of Arab terrorists as well.

The western world should be cheering for Israel not condemning her.
Posted by: Mark Espinola   2004-08-01 6:37:14 PM  

#4  Forgot to put the word CANNOT in, as in Cannot See the Obvious. My mistake.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-08-01 2:39:41 PM  

#3  It is amazing (well, maybe not) that the Paleos or at least the leaders see the obvious, and that is they will have to compromise in order to make a united front and not destroy themselves. Hell, even major crime families do it to survive. What we are witnessing here folks is Darwinism at its most intense. Survival of the fittist is not what we see. It is the culling of the mentally weak and moronic, the flotsam and jetsom of the gene pool circling the drain.

Scoot McGrute---Pass the popcorn, if you please. Would you care for an Alaskan Haute Quarter Porter? The brewmaster is a friend of mine.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-08-01 2:27:14 PM  

#2  Popcorn!
Posted by: Scooter McGruder   2004-08-01 2:10:51 PM  

#1  Several delegates met with the gunmen to discuss whether the conference could continue.

Isn't this the real problem here? When "gunmen" come barging into your meeting, you have some of your own "gunmen" cut them to ribbons and continue with the business at hand. Rather poor planning on their part, I'd say.

How anyone can seriously discuss Palestinian reform without a cadre of armed escorts to repel Arafat's enforcers is beyond me. You know things have gotten bad when the major threat to Arafat's life comes not from Israel, but within the Palestinian territories.

I hope any unrest results in maximum casualties among the combatants. Arafat earning himself a slow-death gutshot would be icing on the cake.
Posted by: Zenster   2004-08-01 1:48:36 PM  

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