Gaza vendors protest Hamas' removal of stands from city center
Some 150 vendors join Thursday's protest, saying business will not be as good in the new locations.
By The Associated PressDozens of street vendors protested in front of the parliament building Thursday morning after Hamas security forces cleared 200 stands from Gaza's main downtown square.
Zaki Sheik, a spokesman for Hamas' Executive Force, said the sweep was to remove all obstacles and obstructions that cause traffic jams. The city offered the displaced vendors two alternative locations nearby, he said.
About 150 vendors joined Thursday's protest, saying business will not be as good in the new locations. Said Abu Jazar, 29, who sold mobile phone accessories in the square to support his parents, his two unemployed brothers and his three children, said he did not oppose efforts to better organize street businesses.
"But this way we are going to lose business because no one is going to walk to the place they want us to go," Abu Jazar said.
"The new locations are a half kilometer (quarter mile) away and can be ready in two days," Sheik said.
"The sweep has already improved traffic. A half-kilometer bus trip across the square that used to take a half hour now takes three minutes."
Hamas has pledged to bring law and order to the chaotic Gaza Strip since seizing control of the area last month during five days of fighting against the rival Fatah movement.
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thank you, german, for speaking out in favour of law and order. perhaps you can donate some of your left-over jackboots and brown shirts.
perhaps the temperence movement and degenerate art exhibition will soon follow. time will tell.
You really do give full English validation, now and forever, to that wonderful and ancient English characterization; "blithering idiot".
"More law, less justice." - Marcus Tuilius Cicero
Less congestion means when a hamas laden car is taken out by an Israeli missile there will be less collateral damage.
"They are simply being moved away from sidewalks. This happens in all cities. Doesn`t WV enforce such basic municipal codes?" All cities aren't inches away from complete collapse as Gaza is. Good governance is knowing what the priorities are. Being able to move starvation from one side of the street in 3 minutes instead of half hour is meaningless. Jobs are what's more important and the Islamo fascist Hamas is only about making arms smuggling faster and more efficient to kill better.
Hamas represents a dignified alternative to Fatah, the corrupt. This is why Israel doesn't like Hamas, a movement dedicated to peace, security and law and order.
since every western nation is ready willing and able to step up and support his regime ergo his people with whatever it will take to help motivate them to transcend the gun and the bomb and reach for peaceful coexistence with the Zionists (the Jews) - as much as that might make you and your ilk cringe
Yeah your right Clickfool "Hamas recently smuggled 20 tons of explosives into the Gaza Strip in the span of one month. The IDF believes Hamas now possesses a small quantity of anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank rockets, which are most likely Sagger guided missiles. " They just misunderstood little puppies ... maybe they can live next door to you?
That's the beauty of fascism.... Those in power can cut through red tape like an al=Qaeda terrorist can cut through his victims throat.
Don't dismiss Hamas as organisers and administrators, Joel. This interesting story provides the world with a glimpse of what they are doing in Gaza. The people in Gaza want an end to anarchy. They want peace and security. They want the crime gangs controlled. They want the masked gunmen removed from the streets. Hamas are doing all these things. They are demonstrating to their people that they can govern well. They're even making the traffic flow more freely....
Along with Natallie. Who says the Arabian warrior is stuck in the 13th century? These two improve their stupidity every day.
The Mayor of Eilat should visit Gaza and learn how to move venders and quickly establish an alternitive site.
Oh woopee they managed to clear away a few street vendors. That's a real milestone Fool! Its only because there tnunnels keep collapsing that they need the thouroughfares clear so that they get their weapons through quickly without anyone noticing. Dear oh dear Fool you are scraping the barrel to fire your insidious attacks against Israel
If Gaza's sucha great place to live under hamas' rule, I suggest you purchase a one way ticket from Londonistan and relocate to Gaza City, or perhaps Khan Yunis, which I understand is beautiful this time of year. LOL
"So traffic has improved, while Hamas deprives 200 Gazans of their ability to make a living for themselves and their families. That`s a really good way for Hamas to show that it can govern well." First of all they were "About 150 vendors"! Secondly, who said they are being deprived "of their ability to make a living for themselves and their families." ??? They are simply being moved away from sidewalks. This happens in all cities. Doesn't WV enforce such basic municipal codes? I'm sure they do or how else would it be called "Almost Heaven, West Virginia!"???
So traffic has improved, while Hamas deprives 200 Gazans of their ability to make a living for themselves and their families. That's a really good way for Hamas to show that it can govern well.
Hamas new act is most welcome news. Their new guise as The Keystone Cops is a vast improvement. Now if they would just concentrate on clearing away the drugs and arms tunnel traffic they could get on with becoming real cops. Carry On
you are soooooooooooo naive to think this way! They are just making it better transport routes for missiles and other weapon smuggling. Being in sussex, it is hard to comprehend....come visit gaza and you will see how wrong and naive you are.
Israel is releasing "terrorists" from prison. Abbas is hatching schemes to make the Gazans suffer. Hamas is working to improve life in Gaza. A year ago, who would have believed this outcome?
"The sweep has already improved traffic. A half-kilometer bus trip across the square that used to take a half hour now takes three minutes." Interesting story for those Zionists who imagine that Hamas spends its entire time plotting against Israel. Evidence here that Hamas is focussing on making Gaza a place to live in, in peace and security.