2006年VOA标准英语-Palestinian Clashes Flare Despite Pledge t

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
23 April 2006

Palestinian factions¹ have clashed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite pledges to end a new wave of violence.  The new Palestinian government, led by the Islamic militant² group Hamas, is facing a growing challenge from Fatah, the party that has dominated Palestinian politics for decades.

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Palestinian Hamas gunmen take positions at the Health Ministry³ in Gaza City Sunday
  

Gunmen from the ruling Hamas movement and the rival Fatah party exchanged fire at the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, as a Palestinian power struggle erupted into a second day of violence. There was a similar incident in the West Bank town of Nablus, where dozens of Fatah gunmen took over the municipality building, and ordered the mayor, who is from Hamas, to shut down his offices.

Tensions escalated⁴ Thursday, when moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah blocked an attempt by Hamas to gain control of the security forces. The sides traded accusations⁵, and after clashes Saturday, Fatah officials warned that there was a danger of civil war.

That prompted leaders of both sides to hold an emergency meeting, in which they agreed to settle their differences peacefully.

"There will not be a civil war," Jibril Rajoub, a Fatah strongman in the West Bank, told Israel Radio. He said the two sides have no choice but to co-exist as brothers and avoid violence.

But Palestinian analyst⁶ Wadia Abu Nasser is not so sure.

"I believe that there will be some clashes here and there, but I am not seeing a civil war yet. And I highlight the word 'yet' because it might take place, but within [a] few months to come," said Nasser.

Even though Hamas won January elections by a landslide⁷, the group is facing a growing challenge from Mr. Abbas, who was elected separately a year earlier. He wants to revive the peace process with Israel, while Hamas seeks the destruction of the Jewish state.

Hamas' position has prompted the United States and Europe to cut off nearly a billion dollars in annual aid to the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Abbas believes the militant policies of Hamas are leading the Palestinians to international isolation⁸, and he is working to limit the powers of the new government.

1 factions   

组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 escalated   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• The fighting escalated into a full-scale war. 这场交战逐步扩大为全面战争。
• The demonstration escalated into a pitched battle with the police. 示威逐步升级，演变成了一场同警察的混战。

5 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

6 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

7 landslide   

n.(竞选中)压倒多数的选票；一面倒的胜利

参考例句：

• Our candidate is predicated to win by a landslide.我们的候选人被预言将以绝对优势取胜。
• An electoral landslide put the Labour Party into power in 1945.1945年工党以压倒多数的胜利当选执政。

8 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。