RAMALLAH, May 3, 2011 (WAFA) – The death of Osama Ben Laden occupied the front page headlines of Tuesday’s Palestinian dailies published in Ramallah and Jerusalem.

Al-Quds, Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida gave prominence to the story featuring it across the front page with photos of Ben Laden and President Obama, as well as the location where Ben Laden was killed.

Fayyad’s Monday press conference on the impact of the Israeli decision to stop or at least delay payment of last month’s tax bill to the Palestinian Authority also received front page coverage.

Al-Quds editorial, under the headline “the end of Ben Laden,” said that Al-Qaeda was responsible for the death of thousands of people, not only in the US, but around the world as well. It said Ben Laden was trying to wage a “religious war” in the world.

“There is no doubt that the death of Ben Laden gave a severe blow to Al-Qaeda and to all the radical ideology it represents,” said the paper. “This, however, will not be the end of violence and radicalism.”

The paper said that “there is no doubt there will be negative reaction and new attacks as a result of the assassination.” However, it added, most people believe the level of violence is going to go back because of the absence of its leader and as developing countries are looking for cooperation and dialogue rather than violence and extremism.

The paper ended by saying that “this event should serve as a good lesson to the West in general and the US in particular and all those who are fighting terrorism, that occupation, oppression, denial of rights and absence of justice are all grounds that breed extremism. Those who fight extremism should put an end to its reasons and for those who take advantage of it.”

Al-Ayyam opinion writers continued to focus on the Palestinian reconciliation efforts, analyzing its course and its aftermath.

M.A.