Israel Matzav

No kissing allowed!

Two weeks ago, I reported that Hamas is trying to build a movie studio and theme park in the Gaza Strip. More specifically, it is being built on the site of the former Jewish town of Ganei Tal. Today al-Reuters reports that while foreign filmmakers will be welcome, there can be no kissing in their movies. And it sure sounds like the 'theme park' is only going to be about jihad.

Media City's organisers will produce television shows and movies about
Palestinian history and the conflict with Israel, and have planned small scale set models of Palestinian refugee camps and Israeli settlements.

"Everybody should learn about the 60 years of Jihad by the Palestinian people against the (Israeli) occupation," Hammad said, referring to the conflict between Palestinians and Israel since the Jewish state was founded in 1948.

I want you all to read that carefully: The 'Israeli occupation' started in 1948 (and the jihad actually started well before 1948). Does anyone really think these people are going to be satisfied with a state reichlet in Judea, Samaria and Gaza? And does anyone think Abu Mazen is going to fight them?

Given Israel's ban on importing construction materials, organisers of Gaza's Media City have started with low-key work such as building fish ponds and planting citrus trees. If and when construction on Media City does start, workers will make buildings from clay and wood to save costs - in case they are destroyed by Israeli air strikes, its organisers said.

Keen to rally support among Gazans struggling under the boycott, Hamas has frequently turned to the media, including its own satellite TV channel, radio station and newspapers, in its power struggle with Fatah. Media City will be available for use by foreign production companies, but output will be strictly vetted.

"Certainly, a scene of some man kissing a woman cannot be allowed on the soil of this city," Naser said.

Of course, some man kissing a man, as in the scene above, is probably okay. Well, maybe not. Something tells me they'd better have an awful lot of discounts if they want anyone to come. In fact, they might have to pay people to come.

Hey - I have an idea: They should call it Pallywood!

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:46 PM