Hamas criticized for courts seizure

Palestinian human rights groups accused Hamas Islamists of undermining the rule of law in the Gaza Strip by seizing control of the legal system.

Representatives of four organizations said Hamas-appointed judges last month took control of Gaza’s civilian court compound and ordered other judges to answer to a chief justice appointed by the Islamist group.

Hamas seized power in Gaza in June after ousting rival forces of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction, which continues to govern in the West Bank.

Hamas appointed Abdel-Raouf Halabi chief justice in Gaza after the takeover. Fatah deemed Halabi’s appointment illegal and has retained an Abbas-appointed chief justice who is based in Ramallah.