Masked men wearing military uniform paraded down the streets of the West Bank city of Abu Dis this weekend, marking the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).
The DFLP is one of the largest terror organizations associated with the PLO. Based on a Marxist-Leninist ideology, the DFLP is responsible for a number of terrorist attacks in Israel since the 1970s.
With their faces covered to mask their identities, the men paraded around with various types of weaponry, firing shots into the air. According to Israel Radio, dozens of Palestinian men were seen brandishing AK-47 and M16 semiautomatic rifles as well as hand grenades and pistols.
The Palestinian Authority has, in the past, prohibited public displays of arms. However, the prohibition is much harder to control due to weakened authority of PA security forces.
The practice of openly parading with weapons in PA ruled areas has been defied, especially in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank. Palestinian’s publicly wielding firearms has become a recognized practice in the Dheishe, Balata, and Jalazone refugee camps.
Israel Radio reported that armed gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad have begun to parade with weaponry in the refugee camp of Jenin.
