PA police step up persecution of Islamic Liberation Party activists

From Khalid Amayreh in al-Khalil American-backed Palestinian Authority security forces are stepping up repressive tactics against Hizbultahrir (Islamic Liberation Party) activists throughout the Israeli-occupied West Bank . Earlier this week, PA security personnel surrounded the home of Maher al Jabari, spokesman of the party in downtown Hebron, demanding that he turns himself in. Al-Jabari refused, telling the commander of the force that they were acting against the law and that he didn’t do any wrong. Failing to get him arrested, the commander reportedly told Jabari “we will get you.” Hizbultahrir, which was founded by Taqiyyudin al Nabhani in Jerusalem in 1953 is a pan-Islamic party seeking the reinstitution of the Islamic caliphate. The party rejects nationalism and secularism as well as the modern nation-state structure. It has also been a vocal critic of the western-backed PA regime, often describing it as agent of western powers carrying out western plots and designs against Muslims. On 27 November, 2007, PA security police shot and killed Hizbultahrir activist Hisham Baradiei’ during a protest organized in downtown Hebron by the party against the Annapolis peace conference. Several demonstrators were injured and badly beaten and many more were arrested. This summer, the PA police used force to prevent Hizbultahrir from holding a rally in Ramallah under the pretext that the party, which the PA doesn’t recognize, didn’t obtain a license beforehand. In a brief interview with the Palestinian Information Center , Maher al Jabari accused the PA of trying to carry out the “American enterprise” in occupied Palestine , namely legitimizing the Israeli occupation. “The PA doesn’t like our activities. It is trying to harass us and narrow our horizons by all means necessary. They are worried about our ability to mobilize the Palestinian public opinion against PA policies.” Jabari accused the PA of coordinating with international intelligence agencies against the Islamic party, saying that Hizbultahrir was active in more than fifty countries with its central goal being the liberation of “the Muslim Umma from western hegemony and subservience as well as the reestablishment of the Islamic caliphate.” Jabari said the party was receiving a lot of support from the Palestinian public. “Our people are well aware of the criminal and murderous nature of the Israeli occupation. They also realize that recognizing the Zionist state was totally incompatible with the Islamic faith and Sharia. After all, the Palestinian issue is an Islamic issue first and foremost which means that it can only be resolved through an Islamic solution.” He criticized the local media, saying the party was being viewed in a “one-eyed manner either because of ignorance or malice or both.” Jabari said the liberation party would continue to struggle until the re-establishment of the caliphate. He criticized the PA security establishment, saying it was working against the legitimate and vital interest of the Muslim Umma as well as those of the Palestinian people. “They are working in the service of Dayton ,” he said, referring to the American Gen. Keith Dayton who is supervising the training of PA security forces. “I advise these people to ally themselves with their people, not with the enemies of the people.” Asked to comment on repeated PA accusations that Hizbultahrir activists were violating the rule of law by holding unlicensed rallies and demonstrations, Jabari said it was the PA, not the liberation party, that was breaking the law. “It has been proven ad nauseam that the PA is violating its own laws. The PA is allowing al sorts of promiscuous activities to take place while denying us freedom of speech and expression.”