Syria begins campaign to gather money for PA

Syria began a weeklong campaign Sunday to collect money for the Palestinians, following a visit by the Hamas-led PA's foreign minister 10 days ago. Syria's top comedian was among dozens of people in line to donate at a state-run bank in Damascus Sunday, one of 14 donation points, one in each Syrian province. "All people should raise their hats in respect to any group that resists occupation of its land," Duraid Laham said, wrapping a Palestinian black-and-white checkered keffiyeh around his neck. Duda Badawi, 44, a Palestinian working in Syria, said she would donate two months' salary. Syrian Amal Zarzar, 58, called her donation "the minimum thing" she could do for Palestinians "living in tragic conditions." Thousands of Syrians are expected to donate by the end of the week.