Most Hamas police applicants only want jobs

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Take this for a measure of Gaza's economic woes: When the territory's Hamas rulers announced plans to hire about 1,000 new policemen, 15,000 applied.

Only a few of those reporting for fitness tests one recent afternoon expressed an interest in police work or said they belonged to the Islamic militant group. Most just wanted a job.

Plagued by poverty for decades, Gaza's private sector has been all but wiped out by nearly four years of closed borders and last year's devastating Israeli offensive. In the meantime, Hamas has solidified its grip, making it Gaza's second largest employer.

Amid growing desperation, announcements of the hiring campaign spread a blaze of hope among the territory's unemployed young men.

Not everyone could apply. Candidates had to be between 18 and 20 years old, taller than 5-foot-6, (1.7 meters) and weigh more than 154 pounds (70 kilograms). They could have no more than a high school education, since most would work as street officers and not commanders, said Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ehab Ghussein.

In four days, about 15,000 men signed up, Ghussein said. Over the past two weeks, Hamas has been holding daily drills to test their fitness."

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[aquart]

1. Is this an example of the law of unintended consequences?

[bemildred]

2. Sounds like WalMart here.

Or maybe being a rent-a-cop. Maybe someone ought to offer them something better. Imagine the gratitude they would feel.