GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) When the ruler of Qatar arrives in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, he will hand the Palestinian territory's Hamas<http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fworld&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Hamas%22>rulers their biggest diplomatic victory since taking power five years ago.
The first head of state to visit Hamas-controlled Gaza, the emir will deliver more than $250 million in aid, a move that will deepen the Islamic militant group's control of Gaza and which reflects the rising influence of the Muslim Brotherhood<http://www.chron.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Fworld&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Muslim+Brotherhood%22>across the region. The Brotherhood now governs Egypt, and Islamic parties have made gains elsewhere in the region since last year's popular revolts that became known as the Arab Spring. Qatar has been a key ally of the movement, which includes the Palestinian offshoot Hamas.. *Fatah calls for boycott of Qatari emir's visit* Published yesterday 22:04 [image: Font-] [image: Font+] GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Fatah on Monday called on Palestinians to boycott a visit of the Qatari emir to the Gaza Strip. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is expected to visit Gaza on Tuesday to inaugurate reconstruction projects worth $254 million. He will be the first head of state to visit the Hamas-run enclave since Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in 2006. Fatah's office in Gaza said the visit would entrench the division between the West Bank, governed by the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, and the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. "Looking for a political power in the region at the expense of the Palestinian people and their rights and unity is unacceptable," Fatah said in a statement, adding that aid to the Palestinian people was not a gift but "a national and holy duty." Fatah said all aid to Palestinians should be channeled through the Palestine Liberation Organization and its leader President Mahmoud Abbas. It said those using Palestinian suffering for their own "narrow goals" should look for ways to support Palestinians to achieve their rights internationally. Earlier Monday, Fatah leader Yahya Rabah told Ma'an that Fatah had not been invited to meet Sheikh al-Thani by Qatar or Hamas. Spokesman of the Hamas-led government Taher al-Nunu insisted that Fatah had declined an invitation to attend the welcoming celebration for the emir. *Popular Struggle Front leader Mohammad al-Ziq said his party had declined an invitation from Hamas to join the welcoming ceremony. Al-Ziq said the emir's visit would further the division and legitimize the national split while the PLO was trying to win state membership of the UN. The Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine also criticized the visit. "We are surprised that emir of Qatar will visit Qaza at this time," PFLP's general leadership said in a statement. "This visit is serving the Israeli occupation and will enhance the geographic division between Gaza and the West Bank." PFLP said the millions of dollars donated to Gaza by Qatar would not mask "the real political reasons" behind his visit. * *-------------------* * UNRWA staff to strike over cuts Published yesterday 20:17 [image: Font-] [image: Font+] BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- UNRWA staff employed in schools, clinics and offices in refugee camps across the West Bank will strike on Tuesday in protest over cutbacks in services. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, is cutting health services and other emergency programs, and firing 130 employees, a spokesman for refugee camps in the West Bank said Monday. Imad Abu Ismail said in a statement that medical operations had been canceled due to a financial crisis in the UN agency. He said a general strike will be held on Tuesday and protests will continue until the austerity measures are reversed. * [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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