- Title: WEST BANK: Palestinian militant,. Wanted by Israeli's gets married in Bethleham
- Date: 13th January 2004
- Summary: (L!2) BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (JANUARY 13, 2004) (REUTERS) CLOSE OF PALESTINIAN MILITANT, WANTED BY ISRAEL, DANCING WITH RIFLE IN HAND DURING BACHELOR PARTY PULLOUT TO MEN DANCING IN BACHELOR PARTY VARIOUS OF MEN HOLDING RIFLES DANCING SMV/ SCU BRIDE MAKING HER WAY FROM HEBRON TO BETHLEHEM IN BUS COMMUTING BETWEEN WEST BANK CITIES
- Embargoed: 28th January 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Conflict,General
- Reuters ID: LVAERBCWFYAJXJT0XHNW3U8MZX2P
- Story Text: Gun in one hand, ring in the other It was a West Bank wedding with a difference that was celebrated this week.
The groom is a wanted Palestinian militant, suspected by the Israelis of shooting an Israeli in Hebron some three years ago at the start of the Palestinian uprising.
The bride had to travel to her wedding on a bus, crossing several Israeli army checkpoints on the road from Hebron to Belthehem -- two cities in the West Bank.
Both can now look forward to life on the run, living in a secret location in Bethlehem -- the prospect of a raid by Israeli troops never far away.
But the groom, Wissam Jamal, seemed more worried about the prospect of his imminent betrothal than any threat from the Israeli army.
Held high on a table, he watched as friends cheered him.
It was a stag night with a difference for, as they cheered, Jamal's friends were waving assault rifles similar to a type that is occasionally stolen from Israeli soldiers.
Jamal is one of about 20 people wanted by the Israelis who fled Hebron approximately two years ago and are now living in Bethlehem.
The fact that they can meet and celebrate in full public view will, if anything, add fuel to Israeli claims that the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to dismantle the structures of terror -- shorthand for the militants Israel blames for the waves of suicide bombings over the past three years.
The immediate aftermath of the wedding was celebrated with gunfire -- most probably within earshot of Israeli forces which are stationed on the outskirts of the town.
As for Jamal, he has to be careful about where he goes and emerges from hiding only when he knows he is beyond the reach of the soldiers who would be more than glad to get hold of him and his fellow militants.
Jamal, a member of the al-Aqsa Brigades, met his bride, Nahed Syouri, two years ago when she travelled to Bethlehem. The price of falling in love with a wanted militant was not lost on Syouri. No honeymoon for her. Just two armed guards protecting her husband -- and a black car whisking them off -- destination unknown. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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