Female journalists, threatened with death by a radical Islamic group if they do not adhere to more conservative attire, demonstrated on Sunday in front of the Palestinian parliament building in Gaza City. More than 50 anchors and employees of the Palestinian National TV gathered to renounce a statement issued by the Sword of Islam group on Friday that vowed to behead female broadcasters who did not dress according to the Islamic code.
Unlike many of their colleagues in secular regimes such as Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, most of the fifteen female anchors on Palestinian TV wear headscarves to comply with the Islamic dress tradition. However, they also wear Western clothing and make-up, which the extremist organization views as blasphemous.
The protestors appealed to president Mahmoud Abbas for protection from the group, notorious for bombing Internet-cafes and stores since last year.
