Hamas Strong-Arms Photo-Op

Why did Gaza’s Christian leaders attend Ismail Haniyah’s speech last week? According to WorldNetDaily, Rev. Artinious Alexious and Father Emanuel Salum had no choice:

According to sources in Gaza's Christian community speaking on condition of anonymity, Alexious and Salum were intimidated into attending the speech.

The P.R. value was limited as only reporters with Hamas-issued credentials could cover the speech. Nonetheless, this photo hit the wire services:

Ismail Haniyeh (C), the Hamas leader dismissed as prime minister by President Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian acting speaker Ahmed Bahar (L) of Hamas and Father Manuail Musalam, the head of the Latten church, raise their hands after Haniyeh's speech in Gaza November 4, 2007. In a speech in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh denied any plans to challenge Fatah for control of the West Bank. REUTERS/Mohammed al-Ostaz/PMO/Handout (GAZA).

Posted at 02:15 PM