New Gaza leisure projects focus on fun not hardship

[oberliner]

(Reuters) - New leisure projects and restaurants have been springing up in the Gaza Strip, some partially funded by Hamas Islamists ruling a territory long seen as a symbol of Palestinian hardship.

The construction boom in recreational facilities has prompted some Palestinians in the enclave to complain that Hamas should have channelled such investment into rebuilding homes and infrastructure destroyed in conflict with Israel.

Some 800 visitors a day flock to Al-Bustan, a resort built by a Hamas-linked charity, to enjoy its swimming pools, restaurants and cafes.

In keeping with strict Muslim tradition, women are veiled and non-Islamic songs are not on the playlist of music blaring from loudspeakers.

"The atmosphere is Islamic. It's a place where you feel relaxed," said Umm Gaafar, wearing head-to-toe black garb and a veil.

It's a different scene at Crazy Water Park.

Secular music echoes across its three swimming pools and men and women smoke water pipes
around tables placed under umbrellas made of palm branches.

http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50573320100802

[Jim Sagle]

1. Good news.

:donut:

[oberliner]

3. "If the money put into Crazy Water had been used to construct 10 buildings, 100 families could have

been housed by now"

Priorities seem a bit askew.

[azurnoir]

4. much like our Legislators

the career politicians who voted for this when millions of Americans are unemployed, some die for lack of medical care, and as of 2007 nearly 750,000 Americans were homeless

US boosts Israeli missile funding

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=329447&mesg_id=329447

Perhaps Hamas much like these guys know which side of the bread the butter is thickest on

[LeftishBrit]

6. 'Bread and circuses' - not unlike the UK quite often

E.g. all that money that Blair wasted on the Millennium Dome.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. Hamas Caplitalists...You got to love it. n/t

[shira]

5. Hamas' decisions as to where to spend their money and put their efforts are of course Israel's fault

It's a shame articles like the OP above are written at all.

Just takes the focus off Israel and "demonizes" Hamas.

:eyes:

Seriously, these articles are rare. Kudos to the author.