lip1978
Aug 7th, 2005, 04:00 PM
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c5a9529a-077a-11da-a742-00000e2511c8,dwp_uuid=99eafd16-a001-11d8-81c6-000e2511c801.html
In one recent incident, a bomb was placed outside the home of Hussein Abu Assi, Palestinian attorney-general, who blamed the attack on people whom the prosecution service were investigating for corruption.
Other crimes have ranged from carjacking to kidnapping and extortion. Most people blame the lawlessness on turf wars and family feuds involving elements of the security forces linked to powerful rivals in the PA and Fatah, its dominant faction.
“There are so many armed groups and gangs that are hard to identify and that have multiple agendas that aren't necessarily political,” said Mr Abdel-Shafi.
Feeling under threat from the very forces that are supposed to protect them, some businessmen have decided to take security into their own hands.
One Gaza businessman said he now carries a concealed pistol after his factory was raided by 30 armed men who threatened to kidnap one of his colleagues, after the company refused to hand over money.
He said police had taken no action against the perpetrators, who turned out to be linked to the PA's security forces. Businessmen fear that if such a climate of insecurity persists after the Israeli withdrawal, it will deter foreign investors on whom Gaza's economic recovery will depend.
In one recent incident, a bomb was placed outside the home of Hussein Abu Assi, Palestinian attorney-general, who blamed the attack on people whom the prosecution service were investigating for corruption.
Other crimes have ranged from carjacking to kidnapping and extortion. Most people blame the lawlessness on turf wars and family feuds involving elements of the security forces linked to powerful rivals in the PA and Fatah, its dominant faction.
“There are so many armed groups and gangs that are hard to identify and that have multiple agendas that aren't necessarily political,” said Mr Abdel-Shafi.
Feeling under threat from the very forces that are supposed to protect them, some businessmen have decided to take security into their own hands.
One Gaza businessman said he now carries a concealed pistol after his factory was raided by 30 armed men who threatened to kidnap one of his colleagues, after the company refused to hand over money.
He said police had taken no action against the perpetrators, who turned out to be linked to the PA's security forces. Businessmen fear that if such a climate of insecurity persists after the Israeli withdrawal, it will deter foreign investors on whom Gaza's economic recovery will depend.