(Boston Globe) Thanassis Cambanis - The cult of ''martyrdom" is everywhere in Gaza. Paintings, murals, and posters memorialize young men, usually depicted with headbands and guns, who have died fighting Israel. Banners, fliers, and stickers remind people of the party message: armed struggle until Israel is totally defeated. Yet a minority of Gaza Palestinians reject the all-encompassing culture of intifada, jihad, and martyrdom. Jamal Abu Nasser, 52, the owner of a taxi fleet, describes Hamas and Fatah supporters as ''corrupt, delusional militants." ''We cannot defeat Israel. Jerusalem will never be a Palestinian capital. This is empty talk," Abu Nasser said. ''Let's be frank. If Israel didn't want to leave Gaza, no one could have forced them out," said grocer Mohammed Ahmed Moussa, 62. ''Those who claim the rockets and attacks made them leave are kidding themselves."
2005-09-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive