Will a future State of Palestine really be democratic & free? Not according to two-thirds of Palestinian Arabs (especially the Christian Palestinians), who say they fear their own rulers.
Two-thirds of the Palestinian population in Judea and Samaria are afraid to criticize Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a survey conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah.
The results of the poll come in the wake of Abbas arresting the leader of the strongest union in the Palestinian-controlled territories.
If two-thirds of Palestinians fear Abbas, how much more does the radical Hamas instill terror in the hearts of the residents of Gaza? Abroad, Abbas’ Fatah-ruled Palestinian Authority is often depicted as a pragmatic counterpart to Hamas, and as a genuine partner for peace with Israel.
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In Bethlehem, Palestinian church leaders and other Christian institutions assert that they enjoy broad freedom in so-called “Palestine.” They talk proudly of freedom of speech and of the press under Palestinian Authority rule. Especially during the Christmas season these Christians preach about harmonious coexistence with the Muslims.
Either the results of the above survey are false and Palestinians in general do not really fear their government, or the Christians leaders in question are concealing the truth for fear of being punished by their Muslim rulers.
Welcome to the “democratic” Palestinian state everyone is so eager to establish.
View original Israel Today publication at: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/25661/Default.aspx