Don't send money without manifest changes in practice and policy of palestinians
Reader comment on item: Palestinians Don't Deserve Additional Aid

Submitted by Andria Spindel (United States), Dec 21, 2004 at 23:19

I absolutely agree, but how does one change the world leaders' actions? The same world leaders and opinion makers have stood aside and allowed people to believe that a young Palestinian was killed by IDF forces two years ago, justifying the Intifada, while expert testimony in Israel demonstrated it could not have happened.

Now I read that the French television station has a retraction on the story by a journalist who is a liar, a conspirator in the ensuing battle, and likely a strong supporter of the idea of pouring more money into Arab-held Palestine. I think it goes without saying that others like Arafat and his wife, Suha, will benefit and not the average person. If the Arab nations and the US want change, let them fund education and make it illegal for the teaching of hate; create anti-hate laws in the territories, require not just control of terrorists, but of educators, and the media.

I suggest a whole regime of change, ending terrorism is a start. Reward other behaviours too--education for women, the end of family honour killings and brutality (the British forced India to give up inhumane practices like burning young widows on the funeral pyers of their husbands; the British forced the Kenyans to give up female circumcision, ) so now let the world force this and other Arab states to give up torture and discrimination of women, of gays and others in their lands. Let's talk about open immigration to the land, not just from it. Let it not be illegal for non-Palestinians to dwell in the territories.

I find it totally incredible that Israel which is totally multicultural, multiracial, multireligious is not held up as the most progressive of countries in the world while the Arab lands are totally hostile to anything that is not Islam, is not Arabic. So, hold up the funds, tie payment to behavioural changes or just refuse to offer any aid.

What aid did Israel receive from other governments? I suspect none.

Let a new Palestine earn the respect of the world and attract foreign investment or let it be on the heads of their politicians that there are no jobs, homes or educated in their midst. If Qadaffi can change, I guess we can expect more of the Palestinians who have been relentless in their ill will towards Israel and Jews.

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