RAMALLAH: Azzam Al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah's central committee, has told the Beirut-based al-Mayadeen channel that Fatah supports an increase in popular resistance in the occupied West Bank. “Resistance is a natural right and we agree unanimously on escalating popular resistance,” he was quoted as saying. The call for an increase in resistance comes after the death of Arafat Jadarat, who died as a result of torture while being detained in an Israeli prison. An autopsy has shown that he suffered from extensive bruising and two broken ribs. The Israeli Prison Service initially reported that he died as a result of a heart attack though no blood clotting was found. According to the Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs Issa Karake, “[Arafat Jaradat] faced harsh torture; leading to his immediate, direct death. Israel is fully responsible for his killing” “There were marks of torture on the back, marks of torture on the chest, a deep wound on the upper side of the shoulder, wounds alongside the spine and marks of torture underneath the skin,” Karake said. The news of Jadarat's death comes during a turbulent time in the occupied West Bank. Protests on behalf of Palestinian prisoners have been taking place daily. Recently, Ofer prison near Ramallah has been the site of clashes between protesters and Israeli forces as well as Ramallah itself. Almost immediately after the announcement of Jadarat's death on Saturday, a protest marched through the main square of Ramallah. It was broken up by Palestinian Authority police. Hebron, which houses an Israeli settlement in the center of the old city, has been host to many protests as well; some of which concern the hunger strikers in Israeli prisons and others call for the opening of Shuhada street (video below), which is closed to all but Israelis settlers. Demonstrations in the city have been particularly violent with Palestinians throwing scores of stones and Israeli forces using live fire. Today, the body of Jadarat was returned to his home of Hebron. The situation is expected to deteriorate. Many are saying that the death of Jadarat may well lead to the beginning of a third Intifada, and should this be the case, Al-Ahmad says that “Israel's arrogance will be the cause." BN, Maan BBC
