Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., November 27, 2007 Kislev 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 18:37 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Palestinian workers preparing the ground for the first pro-Hamas media city inside the former settlement of Gani Tal in southern Gaza last month. (Reuters) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 14:13 19/11/2007 In planned Gaza fun park - no kissing allowed By Reuters Tags: Gaza, Disneyland, Israel  KHAN YUNIS - If you believe the building plans, "Media City" will be a Disneyland fused with Hollywood and the CNN Center on the shores of the Mediterranean. There's only one catch: it's in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Workers at an ex-settlement inn southern Gaza go in fear of Israeli air strikes, while there is a blockade on building materials. And the Hamas Islamists backing the site - envisioned as a combined amusement park, movie studio and hub for international journalism all in one - say foreign filmmakers will be welcome, as long as their works don't show people kissing. But those setbacks and the reality of Hamas rule and Israeli sanctions have not discouraged Gaza Media City's backers, inspired by Arab examples in Dubai and Egypt that have drawn foreign investment and created jobs. They have started work on landscaping in the hope that one day the project will feature a zoo and film lots that recreate among other things, the Palestinian villages of a century ago and today's Israeli settlements. "We are aware of the closure problems and the obstacles in bringing cement and other equipment but we have decided to begin the work," said Abdel-Salam Naser, the project's engineer. CONFLICT HISTORY Hamas politician Fathi Hammad said it could cost $20 million - a bargain compared to the sort of projects seen in Gulf states away from the Middle East conflict. But it must be tackled in stages, with funding from Arab countries and non-governmental organisations abroad, he said. Media City's organisers will produce television shows and movies about Palestinian history and the conflict with Israel, and have planned small scale set models of Palestinian refugee camps and Israeli settlements. "Everybody should learn about the 60 years of Jihad by the Palestinian people against the (Israeli) occupation," Hammad said, referring to the conflict between Palestinians and Israel since the Jewish state was founded in 1948. Hamas leaders have offered a long-term truce with Israel in return for a viable Palestinian state, but it is shunned by Israel and its allies for refusing to renounce violence. The Islamist group continues to say it does not recognise Israel and its 1988 founding charter calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. Hamas seized control of Gaza in June after fighting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction. Since then, Israel has declared the territory an "enemy entity" and tightened border restrictions, although it has pledged to keep humanitarian supplies flowing. Given Israel's ban on importing construction materials, organisers of Gaza's Media City have started with low-key work such as building fish ponds and planting citrus trees. If and when construction on Media City does start, workers will make buildings from clay and wood to save costs - in case they are destroyed by Israeli air strikes, its organisers said. Keen to rally support among Gazans struggling under the boycott, Hamas has frequently turned to the media, including its own satellite TV channel, radio station and newspapers, in its power struggle with Fatah. Media City will be available for use by foreign production companies, but output will be strictly vetted. "Certainly, a scene of some man kissing a woman cannot be allowed on the soil of this city," Naser said Bookmark to del.icio.us The IDF's dilemna To what extent should the IDF subdue its West Bank and Gaza actions in coming days? Not one inch Hamas says they will reject any deals made by Abbas in Annapolis.   1.   Another suggestion for Media City 14:17  |  nina 19/11/07   2.   How to get Israelis to cooperate 14:18  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 19/11/07   3.   RETAKE GAZA,DISMANTLE HAMAS, NO QASSAMS, NO KISSING, NO MURDER))) 15:44  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 19/11/07   4.   Kill, YES!, Kiss, NO!!! 15:50  |  arab culture 19/11/07   5.   Gaza fun park & Disneyworld theme. 15:55  |  curious 19/11/07   6.   Gaza fun park & Disneyworld theme. 15:55  |  curious 19/11/07   7.   Pals are serious people,they start at once at Base 2 16:01  |  Absolute Sweden 19/11/07   8.   Not kissing allowed? What kind of punishment Hamas will use ? 16:35  |  infidel 19/11/07   9.   Nina, the hospitals can serve to shoot sick people 17:07  |  Italics 19/11/07   10.   VOICE of MOSHIACH 17:08  |  Pali 19/11/07   11.   #10 PALI BE A GOOD PALI AND COMMIT SUICIDE FOR YOUR 72 GAY VIRGIN 17:22  |  Petra 19/11/07   12.   A pretense for a drawn out conflict 17:35  |  William 19/11/07   13.   retarded and backward radical islam 17:49  |  Rami 19/11/07   14.   Are they hiring Farfuf back??? (Jihad Mickey Mouse) LOL 17:51  |  Iguana Pacheca 19/11/07   15.   The truth comes out again - will leftists even notice? 18:56  |  Polybios 19/11/07   16.   settlement inn is in or not in 19:22  |  Shlomo 19/11/07   17.   Motel Suites 19:24  |  * BEN JABO 19/11/07   18.   FUN IN AZA 20:08  |  Iskander 19/11/07   19.   Gaza fun park 21:05  |  Cyasher 19/11/07   20.   Shooting guns in the air for fun got old? 05:57  |  Arthur 20/11/07   21.   Settlement Inn - hehe! 06:12  |  mushmouth 20/11/07   22.   I have a better idea for the name, too 23:22  |  Nina 20/11/07   23.   Rename it to "GAZA GUN PARK" 04:04  |  cristo 22/11/07   24.   Theme park in the Negev! 18:15  |  Razi 27/11/07

Today Online Bradley Burston: People who hate the very idea of peace Responses: 109 Jewish, Christian leaders to U.S.: No compromise on J'lem Responses: 130 Iran: We developed new missile with range of 2,000 km Responses: 61 Bush to call for peace on the basis of two nation states Responses: 64 Haaretz TV: Shin Bet pushes Gazan to collaborate while his son is ill Responses: 12 Rosner's Domain You were expecting a weekend in Riyadh? The Rosner Annapolis reader Rosner's Guest: Good reasons for Israel to explore Syria negotiations Bush doctrine, the end? (WTR) More Headlines 18:35 Israel, PA agree to reach peace agreement by end of 2008 17:49 Saudi FM: U.S. promised peace agreement would be reached within year 15:52 Peres: Israel maintains secret contacts with Syria all the time 16:52 One killed as PA forces fire on anti-Annapolis rally in Hebron 11:42 Protesters disrupt Oxford debate with Holocaust denier 16:59 IDF troops kill four Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip 14:23 Iran: We've developed new missile with range of 2,000 km 13:39 Ex-Israeli U.S. professor confesses to killing wife 13:20 Beinisch: Israel is swarming with harrowing violence Previous Editions Select Day 26 nov 25 nov 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved