Syria Raises Money For Hamas

Syria has forced its minorities to donate money to Hamas. Kurdish sources said Syrian police have pressured Kurdish businesses near the Iraqi border to hand over money for Hamas. The sources said the demands ranged from $10 to $5,000. The Kurdish news agency, Qamsihlo reported that Syrian authorities spent the previous two days visiting stores and factories in Qamishli. The agency said each business was required to donate money to Hamas or face arrest. Qamsihlo said shopkeepers were ordered to pay 500 Syrian liras, or $10. Major contractors were told to pay about $5,000