The assassination of Nablus Mayor Zafer Al-Masri on March 2 has proved a political windfall for the Palestine Liberation Organization, which has embraced the moderate Palestinian in death as a martyr to their cause.
Al-Masri, who had close political and family ties to the Hashemite regime in Jordan, was appointed to office by the Israeli authorities two months ago. According to the usual PLO logic his acceptance of the post should have branded him a collaborator with the enemy. But the PLO now claims him as one of their own.
By doing so, they are in tune with the people of Nablus, the largest Arab town in the West Bank, among whom Al-Masri was immensely popular. One of the wealthiest men in the territory, he spent money out of pocket to help the needy. And, partly because of his wealth, he was not regarded as a run-of-the mill political aspirant out to improve his personal fortunes.
The PLO also benefits by his death insofar as it is a setback for Israel’s policy of restoring local governance in the territories to Arab hands. This policy has the practical advantage of relieving Israel of the burdens of administering municipal affairs in Arab townships and villages and the political benefit of encouraging moderates.
COULD HAVE BEEN AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PLO
“Al-Masri was ahead of his time,” one Israeli official said, adding that the late Mayor could have proven there is an alternative to the PLO. But his murder sent a chill of fear through the politically active Arab community. Bassel Can’an, once considered for Mayor of Nablus, thanks heaven he didn’t take the job. He blames the Israel government and media for Al-Masri’s death.
Hafez Tukan, Al-Masri’s deputy, was elected Mayor of Nablus by the Town Council Monday at its first session since the assassination. Israeli officials seemed heartened. They saw the prompt replacement of the slain mayor by a former aide as a sign that Al-Masri’s moderate positions are strongly entrenched in Nablus.
But Tukan, also a member of a prominent family, is not considered as fit for the job as his predecessor. He shies away from reporters and appears nervous. According to some reports, shortly after Al-Masri was gunned down outside the town hall, Tukan fled to his home and locked himself inside until the funeral the following day.
A week after the assassination, Nablus appears back to normal. Gates closed for the six days of mourning re-opened. On a sidewalk in the center of town the municipality erected a small monument to Al-Masri — his picture decked in a wreath of flowers. But few passers-by stop to look at it. The impression of Israeli observers is that the Palestinian community adjusts very quickly to the loss of one of its most popular leaders.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
