Hamas dispenses politics along with aid to Gazans

[Behind the Aegis]

JEBALIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) -- The aid money from Hamas came with a heavy dose of politics. A Hamas Cabinet minister carried a carton stuffed with checks worth nearly $2 million into a Gaza tent camp pitched on the ruins of the Salam neighborhood, close to the Israeli border.

But before hundreds of homeless residents could collect, they had to listen to a political speech. Social Affairs Minister Ahmed al-Kurd told them Israel's military machine was defeated and that the Hamas government would rebuild their neighborhood bigger and better.

"There's a lot of talk," resident Zayed Khader, 45, said after the speech, as he waited for his name to be called so he could pick up relief checks worth a total of $6,000 for his family of nine. "When I see them actually building my house, I'll say these are good words."

---snip---

"It's all hot air," he said of the officials' promises. "What do they care if my house is bombed?"

more...

[Chulanowa]

1. Sounds like Hamas is getting the hang of running a government

"Now hold up, I say, just hold up a minute. You'll get it, but we have to bloviate for a few hours first!"

And look, the Palestinians are picking up the "goddamn, politicians suck!" outlook.

Now all we need is a high-placed sex scandal and it'll be almost like home!

[ohio2007]

2. where do they get the US $100 bills they stuff into those envelopes?

A Hamas Cabinet minister carried a carton stuffed with checks worth nearly $2 million into a Gaza tent camp pitched on the ruins of the Salam neighborhood, close to the Israeli border.


I caught part of an NPR radio story stating they put US $ into envelopes. Guess it's the only currency the Egyptians and Israel will accept but,
what the story really sparked in my memory was a story about the Iranian counterfeiters printing US greenbacks......

coincidence?

dunno

who is giving them the US currency ?
US taxpayers ?
?
Iranian relief aid agencies ?