AP: Hamas Supporters Rally in Northern Gaza

[furman]

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2006/09/29/380012-hamas-supporters-rally-in-northern-gaza

Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:51 AM EDT
Ibrahim Barzak, AP Writer

GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP — Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters marched in the Gaza Strip on Friday to show their backing for the militant group, even as its efforts to form a national unity government appeared stalled.

Hamas, which won Palestinian parliamentary elections in January, has dropped in popularity in recent months as international sanctions against the Palestinian government and an Israeli military offensive in Gaza have worsened already intense poverty.

<snip>

After Hamas took over the Palestinian Authority, Western governments and Israel cut off financial ties with the government, demanding the militant group recognize Israel, renounce violence and respect previous agreements signed with Israel.

The cutoff in foreign aid has prevented the Palestinian Authority from paying full salaries to its 165,000 employees for six months. Many civil servants responded by going on strike and calling for the resignation of the Hamas government.

The Palestinians' situation further deteriorated after Hamas-linked militants attacked an Israeli army post June 25, capturing a soldier, and Israel responded with a widescale offensive in Gaza.

In an effort to end the economic embargo on the government, Hamas officials have tried to form a coalition with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party. However, efforts to form the national unity government have stalled because of Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel.

<snip>

[bemildred]

1. This is babble.

Hamas did not "take over" the Palestinian Authority. They won a parliamentary election.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Not babble at all.

Did you read the line before the "snip?" It says: "Hamas, which won Palestinian parliamentary elections in January..." Because Hamas took the majority of seats, they did, in fact, 'take over' the PA. It is no different than when we say the Congress was 'taken over' by the Republicans.

So, throwing that red herring out, what did you think about the article? I have enjoyed reading your posts, as of late, especially exchanges with The Magistrate.

[bemildred]

3. So our opinions differ.

Those words are from the OP, I didn't make them up.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. I didn't say you made them up.

I showed you that the article also included the very thing you were protesting, namely that Hamas was elected. The phrasing that you objected to is no different than used in any country where a minority party "takes over" the majority. A red herring.

[bemildred]

5. It isn't correct. The PA is still there and Mr Abbas runs it, not Hamas.

Quoting an article and questioning the usage is not a red herring. What they said is sort of like saying that the Democrats "took over the US" if they won Congress thus year. The fact that they corrected it elsewhere does not change that they said what they said where I quoted it.