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The PA’s extension of Israeli colonial violence

August 25, 2016 at 2:24 pm

The echelons of the power structure derived from the coloniser manifested itself in the brutal extrajudicial killing of Ahmed Halawa, who was beaten to death by PA security forces. A photo which circulating on social media showing Halawa’s bruised and swollen body has ignited much furore, however it was not enough to instigate a proper process against the perpetrators.

Halawa, who was a leader affiliated to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, was arrested by PA security officers on Tuesday before dawn and taken to the Juneid security compound for questioning in relation to the clashes between Palestinians and security forces during house raids. Instead of questioning, the PA security forces embarked on an exhibition of macabre sensationalism, emulating Israel’s colonial violence to perfection.

Since last October, the PA fluctuated between deploring extrajudicial killings and affirming continuation of security coordination with Israel. The latter’s extent was revealed in relation to Halawa’s murder. In the past month, testimonies relating to the PA security forces’ torture of Palestinian prisoners reverberated in the media. Halawa’s case should provoke a complete rethinking of the PA’s collaboration with Israel.

It should not, however, be considered in isolation. One might remember the murder of PFLP member Omar Nayef Zayed, killed in the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria where he sought protection. While the cases are completely different, it is evident that the so-called legitimate representation of the Palestinian people which the international community has constantly promoted and praised is nothing but an elite group of collaborators for whom Israel is a priority and Palestinians dispensable accessories. If there was previously a shard of shame with regards to such blatant allegiance with Israel, the overt nature of Halawa’s extrajudicial killing extinguishes any semblance of dignity which the PA has desperately clung to since its traitorous inception.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s statement regarding the formation of a special committee to investigate “Halawa’s death” is unlikely to quell Palestinian resentment and anger, although the suggestion has been well received by James Heenan, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who stated: “We welcome the prompt announcement of an investigation into the killing by Prime Minister Hamdallah, and urge the Palestinian authorities to hold independent investigations into the string of events since last week that have now seen five people lose their lives.”

Relying upon sweeping statements such as justice and independent investigations has eclipsed the necessity of denouncing the PA’s increasingly dangerous tactics. For the UN, being “extremely concerned about an apparent extrajudicial execution” holds more weight than recognising that through diplomacy, the hypocritical institution has endorsed and legitimised the continuing colonial violence against Palestinian civilians. There is nothing that elicits doubt about Halawa’s bludgeoned body, despite UN attempts to exonerate the PA from its crime.

If an independent investigation is indeed carried out and the perpetrators found guilty, no doubt the PA will applaud itself on being able to uphold justice while shielding itself from any accountability. It is time to remember with utmost clarity and consistency, that the despicable character of the PA security forces is not just an individual, isolated act, but a reflection of what Israel and the international community have unleashed against Palestinians, through the veneer provided by the PA. The recent crime shows that the PA should be abhorred on the same level as Israel and resistance redefined to include the PA as an adversary.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.