Christmas in Gaza 2008

HAMAS

Analysis: Cruelty and silence in Gaza

Dec. 11, 2008

jonathan spyer , THE JERUSALEM POST


Unremarked upon by the Western media, a systematic campaign of
persecution is taking place in the Gaza Strip, and to a lesser extent
in the West Bank. The general silence surrounding this campaign aids
its perpetrators. The victims are Palestinian Christians, in
particular the small Christian community of Gaza.

The perpetrators are a variety of Islamist groups, all of which are
manifestations of a process of growing Islamic militancy and piety
taking place across the region.

The Christian population of the Gaza Strip is small - 2,000-3,000
people. Gazan politics has long been characterized by a conservative,
Islamic bent. Gaza's Christians as a result have tended toward
political invisibility.

Since the Hamas coup of July 2007, this position has become
increasingly untenable. Islamist organizations, empowered by the
indifference of the authorities, have begun to target Christian
institutions and individuals in Gaza with increasing impunity.
Intimidation, assault and the threat of kidnapping are now part of
daily reality for Christians.

The trend became noticeable with a series of attacks on the
Palestinian Bible Society's "Teacher's Bookshop" in Gaza City last
year. The shop was the subject of a bomb attack in April 2007. Its
owner, Rami Khader Ayyad, was abducted in broad daylight, and found
dead on October 7, 2007.

Over the following year, a series of bomb attacks on Christian
institutions in Gaza took place. Particular attention was paid to
places of education. The Rahabat al-Wardia school run by nuns in the
Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City, and the American International
School in Beit Lahiya were both bombed, most recently in May 2008. The
Zahwa Rosary Sisters School and the El-Manara school, both in Gaza
City, were also attacked this summer. The YMCA Library was bombed, as
was the Commonwealth War Cemetery.

Most of these attacks took place at night, and hence casualties were
avoided. In a number of cases guards were the victims of violence.

Who is carrying out these attacks? The perpetrators are thought to be
Salafi Islamist groups like Jaish al-Islam, Jaish al-Uma and similar
organizations. The larger Popular Resistance Committees terror group
has also stated that the Christian presence in Gaza should be
eradicated, since it exposes Gazans to a pro-Western, anti-Islamic
influence.

Where are the Hamas authorities in all this?


The writer is a senior researcher at the Global Research in
International Affairs Center, IDC, Herzliya.

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Related

Why I hate movies about Jews

Dec. 17, 2008
John Lalor , THE JERUSALEM POST

I don't care to watch movies about Jews - not those made by non-Jews
and leftist Jews, anyway. By all accounts, The Boy in the Striped
Pajamas is supposed to be a good movie. But I would be more interested
in a gormless shoot-em-up movie with Sly or Arnie.

Why? Because the interest in these movies about Jews is based on an
interest in their story of destitution, destruction and humiliation.
Interesting, don't you think? We have countless movies about America's
greatness. We have movies about the conquests and victories of Nelson
and Napoleon and Columbus. So, why can I not think of too many movies
depicting Jews (and Israelis) as good, successful, heroic - in short,
in a positive light?

Read the Rest:

The writer is a clinical psychologist in training based in Ireland.

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H/T: Arvi