Masked and armed members of Fatah, Hamas’ rival party headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, shot automatic rifles in the air as they marched through Hevron on Saturday.
The parade marked the anniversary of the founding of Fatah by Yasser Arafat, who was succeeded by Abbas after his death eight years ago.
The scene of masked men shooting rifles was identical with Hamas demonstrations in Gaza over the years.
The march did not encroach on the Jewish neighborhoods in Hevron, but it illustrates the face of Fatah not reported in mainstream media, which promotes Abbas as Israel’s ”peace partner.”
Marches, without rifles, also took place on a hill in eastern Jerusalem overlooking the Old City. Speakers emphasized that Jerusalem is “Arab” and praised martyrs and Arab nationalism.
Fatah is planning a parade in Gaza on Friday, the first time in five years that the Hamas terrorist organization is allowing the event to take place “for the sake of unity” with Abbas’ Fatah movement.