Euphoria turns to shock as Palestinians ask 'What Now'

[barb162]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1696023,00.html

Ramallah

Euphoria turns to shock as Palestinians ask 'What now?'

Conal Urquhart in Ramallah
Friday January 27, 2006
The Guardian


The West Bank city of Ramallah, Fatah's political headquarters, went to sleep on Wednesday night to the sound of celebratory gunfire as the party's young supporters drove through the streets cheering exit polls which suggested victory. By yesterday morning the euphoria had turned to shock as Palestinians tried to assess the effects of Hamas's victory.

What happens now, was the most frequently asked question in the most secular of Palestinian cities. Not many people had answers, but several joked about having a last alcoholic drink before it is banned by the Islamic movement that won four out of five seats in the city, formerly a Fatah stronghold.

Bassem Khoury, a Christian restaurant owner, said he feared Christians would be persecuted and that corruption among Fatah politicians would be replaced by corruption by Hamas. "I can't see any problems with Hamas in the first year or six months. But once they get comfortable in their positions they may promote social change and my wife will be forced to wear headscarves and an abaya," he said.

"If they declare that secular law has priority over Islamic law I will relax, but if they elevate Islamic law, I will pack my bags. It is not only Christians that are scared. Moderate Muslims who live a modern life are also fearful," he said.

snip

[Coastie for Truth]

1. Question - or challenge

Can Hamas attract the "multiplier" jobs - where "multiplier" is as defined in the works of Kerry Adviser Richard L. Florida (author of "The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life", "The Flight of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent", and "Cities and the Creative Class")

Read Florida's books before criticizing my choice of them as a model and my use of the term "multiplier."

[barb162]

2. No criticism here; good points

[channa18]

3. Welcome to "Hamastan"

It was funny when articles joked about the possibility.....


Seems a whole lot less funny noe .

[Coastie for Truth]

4. Scary query-

Ignore Israel for a moment - what happens when Hamas turns on their Saudi princeling (and big oil) backers - how we gonna drive our Hummers and F-150's?

[barb162]

6. don't you mean the hybrids ( or bicycles)

The people with Hummers can afford 10 bucks a gallon

[barb162]

5. I think moderate, secular Palestinians may start leaving in droves

once Hamas starts instituting religion in daily life, law, etc. Right now they can still joke and they may as well. But in a few months or so, I bet the joking will stop and they will be packing their bags.

:hi:

[Coastie for Truth]

7. Welcome to

Fremont CA and Wayne-Oakland-Washtenaw County, MI.

They are assimilated, friendly, contributing members of the communities.

[barb162]

8. Love it!

:hi: