Gaza’s Rocket Man
The Palestinian militant was telling my producer he didn’t think it was appropriate that he be filmed walking with me. He said religious men can’t be seen in the streets walking with women.
In the end, he accepted to walk but avoided looking at me.
(I didn’t take it personally.)
The militant, Abu Abeer, is a spokesman for Popular Resistance in Gaza. He told us he’s responsible for firing rockets from Gaza into Israel. When I asked him why he does it, he says the “Zionist occupation” has to end.
Popular Resistance was created at the beginning of the second Intifada (Palestinian Uprising) in September 2000 with former members of other Palestinian militant groups.
Fatah, the Palestinian group loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, claims Hamas uses this group for their dirty work. Fatah blames Popular Resistance for killing the cousin of the late Palestinian President Yasir Arafat. They’re also responsible for firing rockets. But when Hamas gives them the orders to stop … they listen.
The group says their political agenda is “to liberate Palestine from the Mediterranean sea to the Jordan River.” Meaning, they believe, Israel has no right to exist and and the land belongs to the Palestinians only.
Popular Resistance doesn’t have the same discipline as Hamas. But they were one of three groups that kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in June 2006. Hamas says Shalit is in their control and alive.
Abu Abeer is just one Rocketman in Gaza … but he’s nothing like the Rocketman Elton John sings about.
(captions from left - right)
1. Militants
from “Popular Resistance” launch rockets from Gaza
to Israel.
2. Rockets prepared for launching by militants from
“Popular Resistance” in Gaza.
3. Reena Ninan in Gaza in front of the aftermath
from an Israeli airstrike.









