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Not in danger: a mother of a suicide bomber praises her son on PA TV (MEMRI)
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| By israelinsider staff June 3, 2007 |
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The "Swords of Truth", an Islamist vice squad responsible for bombing more than three dozen internet cafes, music shops, pool halls and restaurants in Gaza in the last year, has now turned its repressive eye on female TV broadcasters.
In a statement e-mailed to worldwide media Friday, the group threatened to slit the throats of female TV broadcasters in the Palestinian Authority who do not dress in strict accordance with religious Islamic standards.
"We will cut throats, and from vein to vein, if needed to protect the spirit and moral of this nation," said the statement, which called the offending broadcasters "without any ... shame or morals."
Throughout the Muslim world, conservative policies keep women out of TV anchor positions or dictate they wear head scarves on air. Head scarves for TV broadcasters are uncommon, however, in Lebanon and Jordan. Egypt does not allow headscarfed TV newscasters on its TV stations.
Most of the 15 female broadcasters on government-run Palestine TV wear head scarves. But they also wear makeup and Western clothing -- not considered strictly observant by extremists.
Female broadcasters who were interviewed by the Associated Press said they had received death threats in calls. Many were frightened.
One PA anchorwoman, who does not wear a headscarf, said anonymously that she did not go to work on Saturday as a result. "It's a dangerous precedent in our society," she said. "It will target all working women." |
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