Israel Matzav

Hamas' boys in the band

Sky News reports on Hamas' new police band, the "Protectors of the Homeland." Somehow, I doubt they will be singing any of the latest and greatest hits:

Rather than wearing the latest designer gear and crooning about love, the Protectors Of The Homeland opt for blue camouflage fatigues and songs about holy war.

Gaza's answer to Take That and Boyzone are committed to raising spirits in the Occupied Territories.

Hussam Abu Abdu, one of the group's five members, said: "Our duties are to boost the spirits with entertainment and encourage the forces."

Hamas' top police commander, Jamal al Jarah, who is wanted by Israel, formed the band after the Islamist group seized control of Gaza in June following violent clashes with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' secular Fatah faction.

The five-piece band sing about heroic fighters, Islamic values and love of the homeland, all recorded over backing tracks played from a laptop computer.

One lyric goes: "O Jerusalem, rest assured we are the sacrifice. I will not retreat from my Jihad, I will not back down."

Mr Abdu said the band hope to bolster morale in the impoverished territory of 1.5 million people, which is facing economic collapse due to the blockade.

The Protectors Of The Homeland perform for police units in Gaza and at public functions such as police graduation ceremonies.

They also sing and perform short anti-crime skits in jails to "entertain and educate" prisoners.

Mr Abdu said: "We aim to entertain, to help ease the people's suffering. And at the same time we deliver a message about morals and values."

Isn't that lovely? They sing to encourage jihadists to continue their terror attacks. But give them a state reichlet and they'll have something else to sing about.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:18 PM