Getting busy in Gaza

[barb162]

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2006/777/re5.htm
Getting busy in Gaza


Speaking before a crowd of thousands gathered for a well orchestrated campaign rally in the heart of Gaza City after Friday prayer, Said Siyam, one of five Hamas candidates running for district seats in Gaza, declared, "We condemn the cowardly actions that led to the death of two Egyptian police officers ... We send our condolences to our Egyptian brothers and we assert to them our condemnation of this crime."

Siyam questioned, "What kind of Authority is unable to protect a crossing or an election centre?" referring to the havoc Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, part of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party, and other local warlords, have been wreaking on the Gaza Strip. Al-Aqsa militants, furious after being overlooked by Fatah in their candidate selection process, have been lashing out in violence, creating a degree of lawlessness and chaos that may prevent upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections, scheduled for 25 January, from taking place.

snip
Hamas, the highly motivated, formidable challenger, has cut Fatah's lead to only eight points, according to the latest opinion poll released by An-Najah National University, conducted 5-6 January. According to the poll, Fatah received 39.3 per cent of voter support, Hamas 31.3 per cent, and Independent Palestine 10.4 per cent. In total, 82.6 per cent of respondents intend to vote.

Hamas has begun a targeted door-to-door campaign, question and answer sessions in diwans (places of family gathering) across the Strip, along with their famous festivals, drawing thousands under the banner of "change and reform," their campaign slogan. Entering the plush office that serves as the Gaza City campaign headquarters one is greeted by Naje Al-Serhey, a professional, academic type, and campaign manager for the entire Strip. A gunfire ring-tone emanates from the mobile phone nesting in the pocket of his tweed jacket as he explains Hamas' mass media campaign, including newspaper, television and radio advertisements, SMS messages, e- mails, and internet Web sites.


snip