Chiesa, an Italian website, reports that the jizya — a special tax on non—Muslims — is threatening a return in the areas of the West Bank where Hamas has won control. Anyone who doubts that jihad is still the animating force of many Muslims who follow their holy scripture should pay attention. If jihad and jizya are unfamiliar terms, then search our archives for article by Andrew Bostom, or better yet buy his history, The Lgeacy of Jihad.

It is a fear that took shape after the electoral victory of Hamas, not only in Bethlehem's municipal elections, but also in those of other cities of Cisjordan: Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya. A new style can already be seen in the municipalities where Hamas is installed: Christian women employed there, who are accustomed to shaking everybody's hand, are held at a distance by the newly elected, for whom physical contact violates Islamic principles. The general plan of Hamas also includes the imposition of a special tax, called al—jeziya, upon all of the non—Muslim residents in the Palestinian territories. This tax revives the one applied through all of Islamic history to the dhimmi, the second—class Jewish and Christian citizens. In an interview with Karby Legget, published in the December 23—26 edition of 'The Wall Street Journal,' Masalmeh, the leader of the Hamas contingent at the municipal council of Bethlehem, confirmed: 'We in Hamas intend to implement this tax someday. We say it openly — we welcome everyone to Palestine but only if they agree to live under our rules.'

Thomas Lifson  12 29 05