Monday, September 03, 2007

The Islamization of the Gaza Strip.

Since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip, it has intensified its activities to impose an Islamic social code. Hamas is careful not to represent it as a step toward establishing a radical Islamic state. The process is just beginning but indicates an increase in the Islamization of the Gaza Strip. Overview

1. Following the Hamas takeover of mid-June 2007, the Gaza Strip has in effect become a radical Islamic political entity with the trappings of a sovereign state. It is ruled by Hamas, whose ideology is radical Islam and which it aspires to impose on the entire Palestinian populace.

2. During the takeover itself senior Hamas figures made statements supporting Islamic rule and victory over the infidels. 1 That caused not only Abu Mazen and Fatah to be apprehensive, but Egypt as well, which shares a common border with the Gaza Strip, is afraid radical Palestinian Islam will invade its territory. 2

3. For the time being senior Hamas figures are careful to make it clear that they have no intention of establishing a radical Islamic entity in the Gaza Strip. They have even sent soothing messages to Egypt , stating that they do not mean to Islamize the Gaza Strip. 3 However, during the few months since the Hamas takeover it has increasingly imposed a compulsory radical Islamic life-style which influences the daily life and routine of all the residents of the Gaza Strip .

4. The process of Islamization is caused both by the steps taken by the Hamas government and the tendency of the local residents, both male and female, to adjust themselves to conform with Hamas' radical Islamic worldview . In addition, Hamas controls all social, welfare, educational, religious and media institutions, 4 whose activities have a long-term effect on the nature of Gazan society.

5. The continuing Islamization of the Gaza Strip inhabitants, some of whom observe Islamic precepts in their daily lives, emphasizes the growing polarization between the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, and Judea and Samaria, controlled by Abu Mazen and Fatah, whose orientation is national-secular.


Courtesy of:
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC) span>

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