…the more Abbas looks just like Arafat. “Palestinians say won’t disarm militants,” from Reuters, with thanks to Rick:
GAZA – The Palestinian Authority reiterated Wednesday it had no intention of disarming militants despite constant Israeli calls for such a move and a recent pledge to crack down on unlicensed weapons.
The announcement came amid growing friction between armed factions and security forces following the arrest of two Hamas men after a gunfight Monday night. The militants were accused of planning to attack Israel in defiance of a cease-fire.
“We have no intention of withdrawing arms of resistance,” Rashid Abu Shbak, the head of the internal Preventive Security Service, told a news conference in Gaza.
Abu Shbak specifically rejected Israel’s request for a start to disarmament before it hands over the last three of five West Bank cities it was to return to Palestinian security control under a February truce agreement.
Abu Shbak said militants must still honor their commitment to the cease-fire agreed by President Mahmoud Abbas and should not take their weapons out in public.
“Arms of resistance should not be displayed in streets. Arms of resistance should not be used in family feuds. Arms of resistance should not kill a woman who goes out with her fiance,” he said, referring to the recent killing by two Hamas militants of a woman they accused of immoral behavior…
Oh, good. I feel so much better now that that’s been made clear.