This manifesto, discussed in yesterday’s Observer, is interesting in its own right and because of the reactions it has attracted. It was apparently written by five men and three women in Gaza, secular young people who are equally fed up with Israel and Hamas. In fact they are fed up with pretty much everyone. The manifesto opens:
Fuck Hamas. Fuck Israel. Fuck Fatah. Fuck UN. Fuck UNWRA. Fuck USA! We, the youth in Gaza, are so fed up with Israel, Hamas, the occupation, the violations of human rights and the indifference of the international community!
Ana Carbajosa suggests a link between the manifesto and Sharek Youth Forum, closed down by Hamas last year, apparently because it promoted activities involving both sexes. Certainly the writers’ hostility towards Hamas is quite as apparent as their resentment of Israel in the manifesto, and this evenhandedness has made some readers suspicious. Whereas some commenters on this post have sympathy for the manifesto writers, others can’t bring themselves to support people who don’t share their enthusiasm for Hamas.
“At least Hamas is cracking down on its own people, whereas the IDF has racist youths gassing Palestinians to death.”
“I wouldn’t be too hasty to jump on these kids’ bandwagon, there’s still a few unanswered questions about them and why Hamas is on their case.”
“Maybe it’s because I have a suspicious mind, but there is something behind this manifesto because eventhough it is superficially critical of Israel, the US and UNRWA, it is mostly a torpedo aimed at Hamas.”
For those who want to find out more about Gaza Youth’s Manifesto for Change, here is their Facebook page.
