Palestinian security forces launch a rare crackdown on militants in the West Bank
Associated PressDEC 28 2024
Palestinian Authority Raids Jenin
Above: Palestinian security vehicles block the entrances to Jenin camp and prevent movement in the city center and camp in the West Bank on Dec.16, 2024. Image copyright: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
With Hezbollah severely degraded, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, and Hamas' increasing isolation, the PA has launched an offensive to show that it is capable of taking on Iranian-backed terror groups. The PA, known for its weakness and inefficacy, is seeking to show Israel and the US that it can help administer Gaza after the war. Though serious gains are yet to be seen, Israel’s recent successes against Iran may have given the PA new life.
Pro-Palestine narrative
While Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, the PA's Mahmoud Abbas has opportunistically decided that it is in his best interest to further betray the Palestinian cause and target Palestinian resistance factions on the behalf of Israel. Indeed, Abbas has acted as a petty US and Israeli-backed dictator in the West Bank, seeking to personally gain from the occupation. Though the US and Israel may believe that they can force the PA — Israel's subcontractor of the occupation — onto the Palestinian people, the situation can easily turn against them.