Palestine Snapshot: Will Egypt and Tunisia Examples Bring Change?

UPDATE 1000 GMT: On Wednesday, officials in Ramallah initiated pro-Mubarak demonstrations as people condemned Mohamed ElBaradei as a “CIA agent”. Fatah-controlled media outlets called him a“war criminal”, blaming responsibility for the Iraq war.   

Haaretz's Amira Haas asks: "Why isn't the PA supporting Egypt uprising?":

The Palestinian leadership has been careful not to support the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, and has banned demonstrations in solidarity with the rebelling peoples. Palestinian television has virtually ignored the events in Egypt.

What is the Palestinian Authority afraid of when it bans solidarity demonstrations?

There are two reasons. Due to the close relations with the Mubarak regime, the leadership is perplexed by expressions of support for the opponents of a friend. The second reason - when a regime is insufficiently democratic, it fears that popular demonstrations might spin out of control.

Isn't it strange that the leaders of an occupied people are not supporting a popular uprising?

That's the result and the price of being dragged to the status of a regime, before liberation, while giving up on the agenda of a national liberation movement. As a regime, they must identify with regimes.

Haas advises, "There is a new a spirit. The Palestinian Authority's role has to change....The PLO, which has lost its structure, must be rebuilt."

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As Israel's senior officials ask the West to ensure that any new government in Egypt will continue peaceful relations with West Jerusalem, underlining the importance of security and stability in the region, the effects of Tunisia and Cairo are being felt on the West Bank. 

The Palestinian Authority said that it will hold local council elections as soon as possible. The process was effectively suspended more than two years ago: when Mahmoud Abbas's four-year term as President ended in 2009, there was no election, nor has there been a ballot for the legislation. Although Hamas, has warned Ramallah not to act unilaterally, the date of new elections could be announced next week.

This has not necessarily secured Ramallah's position. On Facebook, thousands of people are gathering against Fatah and Hamas and are calling on others to rally against the Governments in Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas police used force against a small group earlier this week. 

Meanwhile, is it possible for Hamas --- whose Rafah crossing on the Egypt border is closed again and who faces serious demonstrations --- to close the gaps with Fatah, also accused of corruption and challenged by its people? Can Hamas wait for the post-election process in the West Bank if Ramallah takes unilateral action?

Will Egypt and Tunisia bring change in the Palestinian lands?