On Sunday night anonymous arsonist set fire to a shop and library in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. A spokesman of Hamas in the Bethlehem area stated that the library belongs to Bethlehem municipality council leader, Khalid Sabri, and the shop belongs to his father.
According to the spokesman, ‘about 30 unidentified armed men attacked the library, Ya Hala, and set it ablaze, before they headed to a shop, Saada, near the Open University and also set it on fire.’
Head of Hamas Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) office in Bethlehem, Malik Salhab, condemned the incident and suggested that the ‘Fatah revolutionary council’ is responsible. He added that his office has received calls from Fatah officials in Bethlehem condemning the attacks and stressing the necessity to preserve the national unity.
It is possible that PLC members of Hamas in Bethlehem will hold a meeting to discuss the latest developments and announce a new campaign which will criminalise anyone who provokes or incites internal strife.
Sunday’s arson attacks caused significant losses, and burnt everything in both buildings.
