Government Policy and Poverty Encourage Polygamy In Gaza

Palestine Note reported yesterday that societal pressures and government policies are encouraging polygamy in Gaza. Permitted by Islam, the difficult economic conditions in Gaza are encouraging poorer women to become second wives. Also the Hamas government is backing the Palestine Marriage Fund which encourages men to marry the widows of so-called "martyrs." The Fund gives $2800 plus gifts for the home to each couple. One hundred of these marriages have taken place already.