Posted on 09/12/2001 9:47:05 AM PDT by veronica
Enigmatic Bin Laden greeted as new hero by Palestinian youths
KHAN YUNIS, Gaza Strip, Sept 12 (AFP) - While one of the biggest manhunts in history swung into motion Wednesday to track down the perpetrator of the terror attacks on the United States, suspect number one -- Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden -- was hailed as a great avenger by youths in this Gaza Strip town.
"He's a fighter: I heard it on the television," said Ahmad, 19, who admits the first time he heard of Bin Laden was in the flood of reports spewing out of New York and Washington, where thousands are thought to have died in the spectacular attacks.
Many of the youths in this town in the Gaza Strip express their admiration for Bin Laden, although the mystery-shrouded figure is scarcely known for struggling to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
The news of the kamikaze airliner attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington were preceded here by reports of the death of 25-year-old Mohammad Shaqfa, shot dead by Israeli troops while riding in a taxi.
The subsequent reports of attacks at the heart of Israel's most powerful ally were met with outbursts of joy Tuesday, although the Palestinian Authority played down festivities, mindful of the damage they would inflict on their international image.
The Palestinian leadership was fearful such celebrations would ruin months of diplomatic efforts to arrange a first meeting in Washington between leader Yasser Arafat and US President George W. Bush. Saleh, a 32-year-old grocer -- who like most other residents agreed only to give his first name -- said he heard celebratory gunfire when the news of the massive attacks broke.
"Bin Laden struck against America and the infidels," he said. "Now they are undergoing what we have suffered," he said, although he estimated that the four simultaneous hijackings of US commercial airliners and their subsequent suicide flights were beyond even the means of Bin Laden, who comes from a billionaire Saudi family.
"Bin Laden is a hero, he is defending Jerusalem and Palestine," said Mohammad, a freshman student in social sciences, astonished to hear that the head of the Islamist organisation Al Qaeda (The Base) has never reportedly launched an attack against Israel.
"We respect this son of Adam who is defending Palestine and Jerusalem," said Najem Mohammad.
"Bin Laden is defending the oppressed," added Iyad, a 25-year-old carpenter, his curly hair teased into a quiff and wearing a Nike tee-shirt.
But Bin Laden, despite his notoriety as Washington's enemy number one, is largely an enigma for the Palestinians. Unlike Iraqi President Saddam Hussein or Lebanese guerrilla leaders, his name is never chanted at funerals or rallies. "Until now he has done nothing for the Palestinians," said Alaa, 21, a member of the Popular Resistance Committee, set up at the start of the Palestinian uprising almost a year ago, who carried a US-made M-16 assault rifle across his shoulders.
His friend Wissam, 24, who also belongs to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said the celebrations in Khan Yunis, with firing in the air and the sharing of candy, were nothing compared to those feting Palestinian operations against Israel.
"They are fighting with us, but Bin Laden is pursuing the goals of his own organisation," he said, denouncing attacks on civilians.
"A child who throws stones is much more precious than Bin Laden," he said, affectionately tousling the head of a young boy standing next to him.
These @#$holes may soon find out what suffering really is!
Interesting..the "son of Adam"...
fitting that the "son of adam" be admired by those that wish to murder those from the line of David...
Consumed by hatred, these people are sealing their death warrants.
The Palestinian state is finished. Israel should simply declare the extent of its country, wall it in, and force these knuckle-draggers to deal with Syria, Jordan, and Iraq for shelter.
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