Posted on 06/02/2007 8:31:11 PM PDT by april15Bendovr
Fundamentalists in Gaza threaten to behead 'immodest' women broadcasters
Radical Islamist group Swords of Truth, responsible for internet cafe bombings, threatens specific group for first time Associated Press
A Muslim extremist group threatened to behead female TV broadcasters if they don't don strict Islamic dress, leaving the women terrified and marking a further downward spiral in Gaza's anarchy.
The threat to "cut throats from vein to vein" was delivered by the Swords of Truth, a fanatical group that
has previously claimed responsibility for bombing Internet cafes and music shops.
The new threat was the first time the organization targeted a specific group of people, and adds to a growing climate of extremism, fear and suspicion in Gaza.
In many parts of the Muslim world, religious conservative policies keep women out of TV anchoring positions or only let them take the jobs if they wear headscarves. But in some countries scarves are uncommon, like Lebanon and Jordan, and Egypt even keeps newscasters who wear them off its TV stations.
Most of the 15 women broadcasters on government-run Palestine TV wear headscarves. But they also wear makeup and Western clothing, which is not considered strictly observant by the extremists.
The Swords of Truth issued the statement Friday in an e-mail sent to news organizations. "We will cut throats, and from vein to vein, if needed to protect the spirit and moral of this nation."
The group accused the broadcasters of being "without any...shame or morals" and said it knew where to find the women.
Prior to the statement, some women broadcasters said they had received personal threats through their mobile phones. It was not clear if those threats were from the same group.
One anchorwoman who does not wear a headscarf said she was too frightened by the threat to go to work on Saturday.
"It's a dangerous precedent in our society. It will target all working women," said the broadcaster, who
declined to give her name out of fear. "The statement frightened us."
Another presenter who wears a headscarf, on Palestine TV, said she couldn't understand why they were targeted. "I hope they take it back. I hope not a bullet will be fired at us," she said.
Basem Abu Sumaya, head of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, which runs Palestine TV, said that the PBC already had security measures in place, but could not protect people on the way to work.
The PBC is bankrolled by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and is accused of openly exhibiting support for the Fatah movement.
A senior security official, who requested anonymity owing to the issue's sensitivity, said The Swords of Truth had less than 100 members, and was formed last year.
The group claimed responsibility for the bombings since October of about three dozen Internet cafes, music shops and pool halls, which are considered places of vice by some in deeply conservative Gaza.
Assailants detonated small bombs outside businesses at night, causing damage but no injuries.
The security official said his forces were taking the threat seriously. He said Hamas members funded the group, wanting to impose a hardline version of Islam in Gaza. Hamas spokesman Ismail Ridwan said his faction had "no relation" to the group.
This is not the first display of recent Islamic extremism in Gaza. Only last month, Muslim hardliners lobbed a bomb at a UN-run school, accusing the world body of "turning schools into nightclubs" for holding a display of traditional Palestinian dancing.
misogynist!
That’s what I luv about muzzies - so chivalrous. It’s always women and children first with those cockroaches.
-—This is not the first display of recent Islamic extremism in Gaza. -—
No shiite!
well this certainly would be an easy way for cbs to get rid of katie couric.
They get all riled up about hair showing but think it’s moral to slit their throat from vein to vein? This is some seriously damaged gene pool going’ on here.
The threat to “cut throats from vein to vein” was delivered by the Swords of Truth, a fanatical group that has previously claimed responsibility for bombing Internet cafes and music shops.
How “Progressive!”
LOL!
Ah, the religion of peace looking out for the best interests of women? These are cave people and camel fornicators who can’t compete in a modern world because they are knuckle-dragging barbarians who have been brain-washed into believing that 6th century living standards are the norm. Unfortunately, their handlers have allowed them to see what what their rulers enjoy while they sleep in camel dung. The rulers of the middle east own the world’s biggest yachts, the world’s biggest jets, the world’s most valuable race horses, the most palaces, the most beautiful wives, and the power to squash these barbarians. But the middle east rulers have obviously learned nothing from the Russian revolution of 1917. Using their religion to deflect anger that would otherwise erupt against the mideast rulers toward the west will only work for so long and then the mideast will become a freeforall. We should be helping them understand who is really to blame for their f’n misery, it ain’t us.
One of the dumbest statements ever to be uttered by an American president -- and at the worse time possible, to boot..
The only question remaining - is how many of the "peaceful" Muslims must we slaughter to kill the murderous lunatics amongst them.
In WWII Japan and Germany -- we didn't concern ourselves much, with "collateral damage"....
Great photo. My daughters will enjoy it. BTW the soldier on the far left appears to be wearing regulation IDF sandals from Nordstroms.
The new threat was the first time the organization targeted a specific group of people
The first sentence says they have targeted specific groups, ie Freepers and Dead Heads.
The second sentence says that this threat to women broadcasters is the first time the organization has targeted a specific group.
They should not be so obvious in their false statements. How about off with their heads!
The reporter uses the term “in deeply conservative Gaza” and calls them a second time “conservative” This is only done so the same word can used to describe Christen Republicans in the same way.
They don’t just happen to use the words they do it is for a reason and they know it.
If you asked the terrorist if they were “conservative” they would tell you they are Islamic.
The correct way to describe the perps is to call them Islamic any thing else is done just to pin the label on the Republicans.
They need to be corrected every time you can.
And the lefties and feminists have thrown their lot behind these animals. Power must be extrordinarily seductive.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
----------------------------
"Can I get cornbeef on rye and a six-pack of clips for my M16"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.