West Bank laughing, for now …

RAMALLAH, West Bank – A slew of jokes circulating among Palestinians following Hamas’ landslide election victory reflects concerns that the fundamentalist group will impose Islamic law and social codes across the West Bank and Gaza.

As one goes, all police stations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been ordered shut because all complaints must now be filed directly to God.

Invoking God and Islamic tradition is the mainstay of all the quips that have been spreading by word of mouth and mobile phone text messages.

Until elections Wednesday, Hamas’ goal of installing an Islamic state in the West Bank, Gaza – and Israel – was held in check by the ruling Fatah, which had no religious program.

Hamas officials rushed to deny that they will force their beliefs on Palestinians.

“Rest assured we don’t impose our thoughts on anyone,” Hamas leader Khaled Maashal said Saturday from Syria.

Many Palestinians were not reassured.

Mobile phones are abuzz with text-messaged jokes prophesying a new police uniform mirroring the short dress and baggy pants worn by the former hardline Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, and a discount on taxes for Christians who convert to Islam within a week.

Speeding ticket? Pay for it with extra prayers.

The jokes in the West Bank reflect the rawest nerves because Palestinians there tend to be less traditional than in Gaza, where the militant Hamas is strongest.

“The jokes are really expressive of our fears,” said Anis Barioush, a 50-year-old teacher in the West Bank town of Ramallah. “The new rulers will change our traditions and impose a Taliban rule.”