Hamas' only Christian cabinet appointee has declined the invitation to become the Palestinian Tourism Minister, but he didn't say why. | He gave up death-cults for Lent. |
Tanas Abu Aitta was tapped to be the token Christian member of the 24-member Islamic government. But the 57-year-old Bethlehem businessman, who ran as an Independent candidate in January elections, has bowed out, a Hamas spokesman said on Sunday. The spokesman was quoted as saying that Hamas would look for a Christian replacement for Abu Aitta.
Abu Attia gave no reason for not joining the Hamas government, but his uncle, former Palestinian Tourism Minister Mitri Abu Aitta, said his nephew had "private reasons" for not accepting the appointment. At first Abu Attia thought Hamas would form a unity government with Fatah, Mitri Abu Aitta in a telephone interview. Later, when Hamas decided to form the government alone and it was clear he would be the only Christian, Tanas Abu Aitta changed his mind, said Mitri Abu Aitta. In the past there were at least two Christians in the parliament, he said. Christians account for less than 10 percent of the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to the CIA World Fact book. But in Bethlehem - the birthplace of Jesus -- they represent a much higher percentage.
Tourism -- one of Bethlehem's main industries -- dropped off drastically during the first years of the Palestinian uprising, which began in September 2000. But the last year saw an upswing in visitors, officials have said. Hamas officials have said they will introduce strict Islamic law in the Palestinian territories, something that would give Christians and non-Muslims inferior status. But Mitri Abu Aitta said there has been no change in Bethlehem since Hamas' sweeping victory in parliamentary elections. "The Christians here are very important part of the Palestinian community. There is unity [between Christians and Muslims] within the local community," said Mitri Abu Aitta.
Hamas ascendancy to power has complicated the peace process, Mitri Abu Aitta admitted. He is still hoping that P.A. Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will be able to resume negotiations with the Israelis toward a final agreement. Hamas has refused to negotiate with Israel, and Israel has said that it will not negotiate with a Palestinian government that does not recognize its existence and abandon terrorism. "Unfortunately we have to wait and see how things are going," Mitri Abu Aitta said. The Palestinians have suffered badly economically, he said. "We hope it will be better." |