Disputed Reports Say Gaza Has Adopted Sharia Criminal Law

Yesterday's Arutz Sheva quotes reports apparently originating with the London-based Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Hayat saying that the Palestinian Authority in Gaza has enacted a new law adopting the traditional Sharia criminal code. The reports say the new law adopts penalties such as lashes, amputation of thieves' hands, crucifixion, approval of blood revenge, and execution. It provides that only the victim of a crime can allow something other than penalties prescribed by the Qur'an. Crimes such as the consuming or producing of alcoholic beverages are punishable by lashes and have no specific victim who can pardon the offender. The new law provides the death penalty for various actions that aid enemies or injure Palestinian interests on behalf of enemies. Palestinian Authority legislators in Gaza, however, deny reports that they have adopted Islamic law, saying there has been no official statement confirming the report.