PA, Hamas compete to compensate families of Palestinian 'victims'

Jerusalem Post ^ | Feb. 12, 2003 | KHALED ABU TOAMEH

[yonif]

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are now in competition over which offers more compensation to the families of suicide bombers and to those harmed during IDF operations.

Hamas offers monthly payments to families of suicide bombers or those who die in clashes with the IDF. The family also receives a one-time payment of $10,000 from Hamas but less than half that from the PA.

Over the past two weeks, PA officials have visited families whose houses or business were demolished by the IDF to offer them financial assistance. More than 200 families have benefited, and some later published newspaper advertisements thanking Arafat for his generosity.

Owners of dozens of metal workshops in the Gaza Strip, which have been destroyed on suspicion of manufacturing rockets and mortars, have also received money from Arafat.

The sums range between $5,000 and $25,000 for each family.

In addition, the PA's various ministries and institutions have been providing financial aid to the families and relatives of Palestinians killed or injured since the beginning of the uprising. But in recent weeks Hamas, which enjoys widespread support in the Gaza Strip, has intensified its efforts to provide financial assistance to those harmed by IDF operations.

PA officials are closely following its activities, warning that the distribution of the funds will most likely increase support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip at the PA's expense.

On Sunday night, Hamas officials in Gaza City summoned 86 people to a mosque in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood and gave them different sums of money.

The ceremony was attended by Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, a top official of the movement. The recipients were mostly merchants from the open market in the Zaitoun neighborhood, whose shops were damaged during a recent IDF operation.

A special committee established by Hamas assessed the damage and recommended the amount of compensation for each case. Altogether, the merchants received a total of $600,000.

A PA official in Gaza City said the Hamas handouts have become almost a daily practice. "They're spending a lot of money," he said.

"They are also paying more than Arafat. That's why their power is growing. People see that Hamas has more money, so they turn to it for assistance."

[yonif]

Terrorists, such as the PLO, giving money to other terrorists. Guess where they ( the PLO) is getting the money from? The EU, UN, and the US. And at times from Israel, which is pressured into doing so.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

According to the Torah codes, Hamas will assassinate Yassir Arafat. He will be shot.