Sunday, July 25, 2010

Gaza Faces New Occupation Threat

Besieged.

Starved.

Oppressed.

Cut-off.

Hunger.

Health problems.

There's no end to the tribulations of the Gazans.

Now, a new threat - how to occupy your time in sunny Gaza.

Eight dollars to enjoy a swimming pool.


Reported:


The beach club, one of several commercial ventures recently launched by groups and individuals linked to Hamas, illustrates the Islamist movement's growing dominance of an economy crippled by a four-year-old Israeli blockade.

The 1.25 million dollar (one million euro) resort is owned and operated by the Islamic Foundation, a charity established by Hamas's spiritual founder, Ahmed Yassin, that has long provided aid to poor families and orphans.

Some 2,000 people have visited each weekend since the foundation established the club and an adjacent fish farm earlier this year, with most paying the eight dollars per family admission fee and many dining at its restaurant.

"These projects provide a service to citizens in order to relieve the burdens of the (Israeli) occupation and the devastating war," said foundation chairman Abdelrahim Shihab.

"The project encourages economic growth ... But our priority is the citizen and not the investment."




(Kippah tip: LBD)


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