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UN agency cancels Gaza marathon over Hamas ban on women
Published Tuesday 05/03/2013 (updated) 10/03/2013 09:41
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday announced that the 2013 Gaza marathon has been canceled, after the Hamas government refused to allow women to participate.

"This disappointing decision follows discussions with the authorities in Gaza who have insisted that no women should participate," a statement from UNRWA said.

"Registered participants who still wish to come to Gaza are welcome and UNRWA is working on a programme of other events, which will be forwarded to those interested as soon as possible.".

Hamas said in a statement that it regrets UNRWA's decision to cancel the marathon.

"We informed UNRWA that we agreed to hold the marathon, but with conditions related to the conservative Palestinian culture."

Around 3,000 people took part in the event last year, with professional athletes and amateurs rubbing shoulders to run the 42 kilometer long race.

The aim of the marathon was to raise funds for UNRWA's summer games, which provide activities and events for children in the coastal territory.

The marathon took place in 2011 and 2012 without any restrictions.

Hamas seized control of Gaza from Fatah in 2007, splitting the factions into separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In May 2011, a deal was signed to reunite the West Bank and Gaza, but has yet to be implemented.
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1 ) Birgitta / Sweden
05/03/2013 11:42
The so called government -Hamas a terroristorganisation- in Gaza should be changed immediately to a government that works for human rights and equal rights for both men and women.
2 ) Zainab / UK
05/03/2013 14:39
Sometimes it is difficult for people in the 'free world' to understand the culture & religious practices of countries such as (though not exclusively) Palestine. A means does not always justify the end, in this case raising money for Gazan children. Women & men do have equal rights, but this may not be visible to the outside world. It may be that a comprimise could have been reached; women running seperately & covered up appropriately (both Palestinian & others) which might have been acceptable
3 ) nour / canada/palestine
05/03/2013 15:24
shame on you hamas, who are you to deny women their right to participate in such an amazing event. seriously disgusting! "conservative" palestinian culture ??? more like backwards hamas enforced culture
4 ) Khader / Palestine
05/03/2013 15:30
Zainab, don't justify this. In Palestine we never had this kind of crap. People should be free to choose, but not to impose. Palestine is not a religious state for them to ban a marathon because they disagree with it. They can organize their own segregated events, but there is no need to impose their discriminatory ideas on all of our society. Shame on the so called Hamas government.
5 ) Mel / USA
05/03/2013 16:07
This is somewhat strange,considerinHamas was elected 2006-7&marathons have been run,since then.So,why should Hamas object now,to Palestinian women-who ALSO LOYALLY VOTED FOR THEM-running in this marathon?Be PROUD of them!!And excuse me,but since when did ANY sporting,willing local marathon runner NEED PERMISSION from a political party,to take part? Something else is going on here,involving UNRWA/USG/M/B to divide the factions,AGAIN! TRUST IN YOUR PALESTINIAN WOMEN/VOTERS,HAMAS!You NEED them!
6 ) tania / usa
05/03/2013 16:41
i love how hamas says it is a democratic government but still restricts women cause of their gender
7 ) ismail / san diego
05/03/2013 19:31
"We informed UNRWA that we agreed to hold the marathon, but with conditions related to the conservative Palestinian culture." lol..
8 ) Rachid / ps
05/03/2013 19:41
@2.. there is no problem in other countries...... whatever You are talking about.
9 ) Outlier / USA
05/03/2013 23:44
The right move.
10 ) Woman / Palestine
06/03/2013 10:16
There is nothing in Palestinian culture that forbids women taking part of a marathon. And #2: I don't know if u ever visited Palestine, and if u did, u must be looking things through pink classes. There is no equality between women and men here in Palestine.
11 ) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx / xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
07/03/2013 00:59
no #2 nothing should never be covered up. Women all over this world should have equal rights, and be respected just as men, and this should not be held against them they are human, the women and men should work to gother to make this world a better place us humans to live in this is the whole purpus of our/your GOD that put us on this earth is for us all to work together to make it a better world. LOVE YOU ALL NO MATTER THE RACE OR COLOR WE ARE ALL THE SAME.
12 ) israa / palestine
07/03/2013 11:15
i respect that decision coz there is nothing called culture or other things but we should say that theree sth called religion and islam . banning women from the marathone it is but to keep women's degnity and personality
13 ) 12@ / bassem
09/03/2013 00:58
face facts-mb/hamas are basically fascist
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