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Spain Becoming Favored Destination for Palestinians
(Reuters) Luke Baker - Mohammed Zaghal and his friends have no doubt about where they would rather be: Spain. Since the Islamic group Hamas won Palestinian elections in January, the number seeking to escape has risen sharply, locals say. "Everyone in Jenin just wants to get out," says Zaghal, 24, who used to work in Israel until a Palestinian uprising began. Zaghal's brother Fida, 26, is already in Spain. Earlier this year, he traveled first to Jordan and then boarded a flight to Cuba, for which he did not need a visa. When the plane landed for a brief stopover in Madrid, he got off and requested political asylum. He is now getting financial support and receiving Spanish lessons. Some have told Spanish authorities that they are supporters of Fatah, Hamas' rival, and that they need asylum to escape Hamas threats.