There is nothing new under the sun

In other news from the Middle East, a psychologist from Gaza has received death threats for trying to establish a Party of Love. From the Jerusalem Post:

A psychologist from the Gaza Strip who announced his intention to establish the first Palestinian Party of Love has received death threats from many Palestinians, who are accusing him of promoting "immoral" values. Dr. Hassan Nurani, a resident of Deir al-Balah, first came to the attention of the Palestinian public earlier this year when he declared his intention to run for the elections to succeed Yasser Arafat as chairman of the Palestinian Authority.
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Nurani's platform called for the building of a "civilized and moral society" free of corruption and gangsters. Now, six months after the election for the chairmanship of the PA, the psychologist is back in the news – this time with the idea of establishing the Party of Love to fight the "culture of death and hatred in Palestinian society." Nurani said the idea to establish the new party was formed in the wake of growing anarchy and lawlessness in the Palestinian territories. "Love is the only way to salvation," he explained. "Once love prevails among us, the signs of hatred, ignorance, bigotry, fear, death, corruption and anarchy will disappear."

Nurani distributed a statement in the Gaza Strip urging Palestinians to abandon violence and support his Party of Love. "The stupidity of death must be stopped," he said. "Love purifies our souls and enlightens us. Let's open our hearts and minds and declare the launching of the Party of Love." Nurani's statement, published in the Gaza-based Donia al-Watan magazine, drew sharp criticism from many Palestinians. "Some of the reactions to my initiative included death threats," he said on Monday. "Some people called on the armed groups to prevent the establishment of the Party of Love."

One Palestinian wrote to Nurani that his idea was nothing but an "American-Zionist plot." Another Gaza resident responded: "May God protect us against such weird and dangerous ideas. The next thing we will hear is that we need a party for gays and lesbians." A third Palestinian sent the following question: "Do you want to die soon, Dr. Nurani?" However, the psychologist said the death threats would not deter him from pursuing his plan. "These negative reactions have only strengthened my determination and belief in the idea of love," he said. "They also underline the need to confront the culture of hatred and death that has struck its roots in the minds and hearts of many of us."

How soon before they nail him to a cross?