Hamas Attempts to Ban Jericho Casino
19 February 2006
Hamas, the newly-elected governing party of the Palestinian Authority (PA), has reportedly vowed to do everything in its power to prevent the Oasis Casino in Jericho from reopening. Owned by Casinos Austria, the casino opened in 1998, but closed in 2000 due to the violent Palestinian uprising, known as the intifada, which broke out during that year.
According to Islamic laws, gambling is totally forbidden. Hamas officials were reported as saying that they would no tolerate the reopening of the casino, and that most Palestinians would be happy to see it eradicated. Many believe that the casino was a source of corruption, as money from it allegedly went straight to the bank accounts of senior PA leaders.
The Oasis Casino never did receive a license from the Jericho Municipality, but rather had a special license from the PA Finance Ministry, which enabled it to operate. Hamas and other Islamic groups were extremely against the casino before it opened in 1998. The PA leadership, however, proceeded with the opening, claiming that the casino would only permit Israelis and Westerners to gamble.
Hamas is also outraged because the casino was built on land belonging to the Waqf (Islamic trust). Hamas officials will reportedly do everything in its power to prevent the casino from reopening, and hundreds of supporters have already signed a petition to close down the casino.
Source: Authorized Online Casinos News Staff
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