Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, can now add B-level dancing to his resume after the 51-year-old was seen shaking it up at an August 27 “victory” parade following the conclusion of Operation Protective Edge.
The edited video, which was uploaded by the Facebook page of the popular news website Palestine Online, shows a jubilant Haniyeh strutting his stuff through the sunroof of an SUV.
Haniyeh, surrounded by a heavy security detail, pulls off several well-known dance techniques including the arm wave, the finger point and the chain swing — a myriad of moves that screamed “Elaine Benes” more than terrorist mastermind.
Haniyeh appeared relaxed and in his element and can also be seen “raising the roof” with an assault rifle among a crowd of flag-waving supporters.
Although the Gaza leader was warmly received by adoring supporters, he has yet to be contacted by “Raqs el Noujoum,” the Arab world’s version of the immensely popular television series “Dancing with the Stars.”
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
