Reports are coming from Gaza that Hamas militants forced the Palestine Bank to allow the newly elected chairman of "Friends of the Patient Society", a Gaza charitable organization that provides medical services, to withdraw $270,000. The bank's manager was held at gunpoint as he counted the money. In response, the Palestine Bank has closed all of its branches in Gaza.
Hamas recently imposed a new board of directors on Friends of the Patient and issued a demand for the organizations funds. Hamas officials claim they are only enforcing the law as adjudicated by a Gaza judge. This episode is the latest in Hamas efforts to tighten its grip on NGOs in Gaza in order to bend them to the will of Hamas supporters. This started two years ago when Hamas became the de facto government in Gaza. As the Israeli blockade continues, more NGOs have become active in Gaza, offering humanitarian aid to relieve the poverty and the devastation in the region.
The Hamas Ministry of Interior is reluctant to meddle with international NGOs because this may result in ending their operations in Gaza and the much needed aid they provide. But Hamas wants these NGOs to "coordinate" their relief efforts with Hamas in an effort to ensure that its sympathizers get a piece of the aid pie. International organizations held firm and told Hamas explicitly, "if you try to interfere in our work, we will leave the Gaza Strip, which will only harm the anguished people of Gaza." CHF International shut down their offices in Gaza late last year when Hamas attempted to undermine their work. There were reports that Hamas policemen broke into their offices and confiscated computers and data.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hani-almadhoun/not-for-profit-how-hamas_b_518386.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
