 GAZA - Radical Islamists in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip destroyed a cement statue, long considered a symbol of Palestinian hopes for statehood, because they see the depiction as a violation of strict religious laws. A Hamas security source said those who attacked the statue were members of the so-called radical Salaf group, which abides by strict religious edicts. ‘The whole issue is under investigation. We do not agree with what happened,’ the Hamas security source said.
| Real translation: in your face, Mahmoud! |
For many Palestinians, the cement statue for the Unknown Soldier has been a symbol of the Arab fight against Israel. It was erected during Egyptian rule in Gaza in the 1950s but was destroyed by Israel. Arafat rebuilt it in the 1990s. The Gaza City statue stood as memorial to Palestinian and Egyptian soldiers killed in the fight against Israel in the 1948 Middle East war. It is a focal point for officials and ordinary Palestinians, especially during national holidays.
| So much for any thought of working together with the now-surrendered Fatah boys. |
But radical Muslims say statues are sacrilegious because ‘non-believers’ who pre-date Islam used to worship them as idols instead of worshipping God. |