| More on this story from yesterday. |
...aka Abu Mazen, a graduate of the prestigious unaccredited Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow with a doctorate in Holocaust Denial. While no Yasser Arafat, he has his own brand of evil, just a little more lowercase....has fired most of the governors in the occupied West Bank, responding to long-standing demands for a political shake-up as frustration grows with the semi-autonomous Paleostinian Authority.
Abbas issued a decree dismissing the governors of eight provinces under Paleostinian administration in the occupied territory. The upheaval included the restive northern cities of Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarem, the focus of a recent surge in Paleostinian militancy that has undermined the authority's leadership. Only three areas — including Ramallah, the seat of the Paleostinian Authority — retained their governors. The president's office said that he would form a committee to suggest replacements.
Although the decision is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the ground, experts said it signals Abbas' recognition of the authority's deepening unpopularity and his desire to show that he is heeding calls for change in the face of mounting difficulties.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
"It gives the authority a new face, which is important particularly as the governors are in charge of all security matters," said political analyst Jehad Harb. "But it won't change anything really. (Abbas) is trying to rebuild some public trust, but it will take much more."
Paleostinians have not had the chance to vote in national elections since 2006. Abbas' original four-year term technically ended in 2009.
Although governors said they had expected an overhaul for years given growing demands for change, many said Thursday's decree took them by surprise. Yet none expressed dissent with the decision of the president, who rule has become increasingly autocratic in the past years.
"I can understand how fresh blood is important," said Jihad Abu al-Assal, the governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley. "This is the president's decisions and even if we don't understand all the reasons for it, we will comply."
The move comes as the secular nationalist Fatah party, which runs the internationally recognized Paleostinian Authority, grapples with mounting crises — internal and otherwise.