Hamas spends $2M on anniversary celebrations

[oberliner]

The Fatah movement and other Palestinian political groups have criticized the Hamas organization for spending about $2 million on its anniversary celebrations, while most of the Gaza Strip's residents are forced to live off United Nations aid.

The main rally marking Hamas' 22nd anniversary was held in Gaza earlier this week and was attended by tens of thousands of the Strip's residents. According to sources in Gaza, Hamas pressured the residents, particularly those living in refugee camps, to take part in the rally.

According to reports, refugee camp dwellers were threatened to attend the rally or lose aid coupons provided by the international organizations which are active in the Strip.

Hamas' expenditures included public transportation, advertising and marketing – including printing banners and instruments with the movement's symbols.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3821967,00.html

[IndianaGreen]

1. $2 million for a party in Gaza is a lot of money

It is a lot of money in Indiana as well.

[proteus_lives]

2. How surprising.

They're not spending it on guns or missile parts.

[PeaknikB]

3. Of course not.

They use campaign contributions for that.

[Shaktimaan]

4. Wow.

Just wow. Truly unbelievable.
I wonder where the money came from. Taxes? Aid? Corruption?