Hamas rescinds decision to ban book of folk tales

The Hamas-run Education Ministry on Saturday rescinded a controversial decision to pull an anthology of Palestinian folk tales from school libraries and destroy copies, reportedly over mild sexual innuendo, following a widespread public outcry. Education Minister Nasser Shaer, of Hamas, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he had not been informed of this week's decision to ban the book, Speak Bird, Speak Again. Some 1,500 copies of the book were destroyed - the most direct attempt by the group to impose their beliefs on Palestinian society.