Hamas prevents Muslim pilgrims from leaving Gaza

[Fade]

Hamas prevents Muslim pilgrims from leaving Gaza
By Diaa Hadid, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hamas police set up checkpoints across the Gaza Strip on Saturday to prevent pilgrims from leaving for a holy Muslim ritual in Saudi Arabia, beating some who tried to dodge barriers, witnesses said.

The Islamic militants who rule Gaza were upset that the pilgrims co-ordinated their journey with Hamas's rival, the Palestinian Authority. The authority, based on the West Bank of the Jordan River, is run by Hamas's rival, the Fatah movement. The crackdown on the pilgrims highlights the depth of the bitterness between the two groups.

Egypt criticized Hamas's actions as unbecoming of an Islamic movement.Story continued....
(http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/11/29/7579186-ap.html)

[LRPV]

HAMAS must be feeling desperate. I wonder how the pro-HAMAS boaties leaving Cyprus are going to rationalise this restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of movement?

[kahn267]

let's see media and Hamas spin this into being Israels oppression upon Palestinians

[iLikeFlickerstick]

pardon me for wondering, but doesn't the IDF restrict palestinian movement throughout much of Gaza?

[tanks_alot]

pardon me for wondering, but doesn't the IDF restrict palestinian movement throughout much of Gaza?

Nope, just the Israel-Gaza border. you'll have to find other fields for your Israel bashing. p-)

[PsihoKeke]

let's see media and Hamas spin this into being Israels oppression upon Palestinians
They will just ignore it, same way that they ignore most of muslim on muslim violence and opression as it isn't news if it doesn't make West look bad unless it's really bloody.

[LazerLordz]

Did I hear that right? rofl

[Moti]

pardon me for wondering, but doesn't the IDF restrict palestinian movement throughout much of Gaza?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Israel left Gaza completely in '05

[timetraveller]

It would be a safe bet they didn't want anyone asking for Political asylum

in Saudi Arabia ..

Or were the ones heading to Mecca were Fatah Supporters ?

[kool_kruiser]

let's see media and Hamas spin this into being Israels oppression upon Palestinians

yes...we might read that the evil zionists dressed as hamas did it.....p-)

but really it will be interesting to see how the media spins this......or mayb this wont be reported.....i mean hamas cant oppress its own people....