Mauritania: Islamist Party Calls for Peaceful Struggle Against Regime

Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
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Mauritania: Islamist Party Calls for Peaceful Struggle Against Regime

Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)
Men run from tear gas during a protest in Nouakchott, Mauritania (Reuters)

The Islamist National Rally for Reform and Development (Tawasul) called for pursuing a peaceful struggle to hold the regime responsible for the challenging situation the country is going through.

In statements received by the German Press Agency, the party said that after an emergency meeting of its executive office, it decided to adopt a peaceful program and call for a comprehensive dialogue.

It renewed its call for a comprehensive national dialogue that leads to a transformation that lays solid foundations for resolving the country's core problems.

Tawasul is the largest opposition party in the Mauritanian parliament. It granted the regime of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el-Ghazouani, who took power in August 2019, a deadline to normalize the political atmosphere.

The party's position comes while growing public discontent over the country’s lack of security, which led to the death of dozens of innocent citizens killed by gangs in Nouakchott.

After series of incidents, the president toured a number of the capital's neighborhoods, during which he visited security units.

Meanwhile, four opposition parties called on the government to put an end to the chaos and ensure the security and safety of citizens, in light of the unprecedented wave of disorder in the capital.

The opposition parties Ettakatol, the Union of Progress Forces, Sawab, and Democratic Forces signed a statement, warning that the current lack of security in the country undermines the prestige of the state and threatens a real catastrophe that may affect the citizens' lives.

They stated that this may constitute a serious threat to civil harmony and social peace, especially in poor and remote neighborhoods, without security or safety.

The parties expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the authorities’ indifference in the face of the seriousness of the drug scourge, noting that an increasing number of children and youth are turning to drugs and criminality.

During the past weeks, several citizens were stabbed to death by organized crime gangs under the influence of drugs.



‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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‘No One Dares’ … First Palestinian Response to Israeli Plan to Separate Hebron from PA

Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Israeli security forces stand guard as Israeli settlers tour in the Palestinian side of the old city and market of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on July 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

A report published by The Wall Street Journal, and promoted by Israeli media on Sunday, has renewed focus on an Israeli plan dating back more than 60 years aimed at pushing for the creation of “emirates” or entities independent from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The report focused on the Palestinian city of Hebron, and cited what it claimed were “21 tribal elders from Hebron,” who allegedly sent a letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for negotiations with them to join the Abraham Accords and consequently abandon the “two-state solution,” which Palestinians rely on to establish their state.

However, a Palestinian security source, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, said: “What is happening is yet another Israeli attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority.”

“This is a failed plan,” he said: “No one here would dare take this step and say: I am the spy... I am the alternative to the Authority ... Those who tried that are known and represent no one.”

Reportedly, the elders included a detailed proposed timetable for talks to join the Abraham Accords and for “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the initiative was helmed by Wadee al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs.”

Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them.

Israeli sources said that Economy Minister Nir Barkat stands behind the letter, which was allegedly sent to him. Barkat met at his home with al-Jaabari and the other sheikhs; he has held more than 12 meetings with them since February, The Wall Street Journal said. They asked him to forward the letter to Netanyahu and are now waiting for his response.

The sheikhs reportedly proposed that Israel grant work permits to 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial basis, and then extend this to another 5,000.

According to Maariv newspaper, the Israeli government is “seeking to promote this plan to destroy the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a Palestinian state.”