Hamas Bars Women From Gaza Marathon
Hamas' decision to bar women from UNRWA's annual Gaza marathon might have more to do with politics than religion, Abeer Ayyoub reports.
Hamas has once again come under fire over its attempted Islamization of Gaza, after the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) cancelled its annual marathon on Tuesday due to the Islamist rulers' barring women from participating.
UNRWA confirmed in a statement released Tuesday that the "disappointing decision follows discussions with the authorities in Gaza who have insisted that no women should participate.”
In response, the Prime Minister’s office in Gaza sent a text message to reporters expressing sorrow in UNRWA’s decision, while highlighting the need to respect Palestinian “tradition.”
"We confirm for UNRWA that we are with the event, yet with keeping regulations that’s related to the Palestinian people's tradition," the message read.