Tel-Chai Nation

There may be a new shopping mall in Gaza, and there may be a satisfying amount of food to boot, but that doesn't mean all is well. The Hamas is enforcing shari'a against women, including the following:

The Hamas Islamic movement that controls the Gaza Strip has banned shops from displaying women’s underwear in their windows, saying it offends public morality.

The prohibition is intended to “restore public morals in Palestinian society,” according to an e-mailed statement sent Thursday by Hamas police spokesman Ayman Batniji. “The police will also launch investigations into the conduct of the store owners to avoid any suspicious behavior with female customers,” the statement said.

The ban is the latest measure regulating female modesty according to traditional Muslim custom enacted by Hamas during the three years since it seized control of Gaza.

In October last year, women were forbidden from riding behind men on motor scooters, and girls in some public schools must wear headscarves and cloaks. Hamas banned woman from smoking hookah tobacco pipes in public two weeks ago.

The lingerie order also mandates the removal of scantily clad mannequins from store windows, as well as keeping shop doors open when women are inside. Violators of the new regulations will face fines, the statement said.

They may face even worse than that, but the Hamas isn't telling. If there's anyone who isn't getting good treatment in Gaza, it's women, as this shows.

Labels: islam, Israel, misogyny