E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
When I saw this picture I thought of Martin Parr, who once said that he took photographs in his local supermarket "because this to me is the front line."
The AP moved Hatem Moussa's photo from the newly opened al-Andalusia mall alongside a report about the Gaza Strip's nouveau riche, whose wealth and conspicuous consumption are said to be the cause of growing resentment toward the ruling Hamas movement:
This middle class, which has become visible at the same time as a mini-construction boom in this blockaded territory, is celebrating its weddings in opulent halls and vacationing in newly built beach bungalows. That level of consumption may be modest by Western standards, but it's in startling contrast to the grinding poverty of most Gazans, who rely on U.N. food handouts to get by.
Some of the well-off are Hamas loyalists. That rankles many Gaza residents because the conservative Islamic movement gained popularity by tending to the poor — through charitable aid, education and medical care — along with its armed struggle against Israel.
"Hamas has become rich at the expense of the people," fumed a 22-year-old seamstress, Nisrine. Continue reading.
Leave a Comment:
Are we surprised that Hamas is corrupt?
It would be more shocking to find out that the vast majority of this 'middle class' aren't all Hamas Loyalists since the groups focus has shifted from the general notion of 'tending to the poor' to making money via a never ending escalation of hostilities with the IDF.
Peace to Hamas is the same as it is for the US military complex; bad for business.
Class warfare is universal.
It seems like Hamas tended to the poor and that helped them to create a middle class. What is wrong with that? especially under the circumstances.
Here in the US the opposite is happening, people who used to be middle class are now poor. 20% of our children are now under poverty, they are not going to get educated are will be prompt to drug addiction and mental illness. Instead of being productive members of our society, they are going to be a drag in our economic recovery, to say the least.
The irony of calling the grocery store al-andalusia, named after territories lost in spain that they never were entitled to in the first place. Still yearning about old glories long since gone.
Welcome to the real world. No matter what culture you live in, the people who have money -- for whatever reason -- will always use it to their own betterment. If you don't like that, you are on the wrong planet. It is believed thett he current hate that most Middle Eastern cultures show the US is based on just this phenomenon. People who are "rich" by whatever standards, always draw the ire of those who don't have any money, for whatever reason. Those of us who are poor, but have morals and common sense are able to cope with this and go on. Selfish people always seem to find a reason to bitch about it.
The problem in Gaza is probably how these individuals came to have so much money. If they are in government, then they probably didn't earn it.
I have known since Hamas took power they steal all the money countries send them and don't really help the poor but take care of people who are Hamas leaders.What a shame,terrorisy only care about themselves.