Thursday, May 11, 2006

The U.S. Subsidizing the World's Troubles

The perception of Palestinians as victims has become the most powerful marketing tool Palestinians have and no one uses it more effectively. Time after time we have seen Palestinian figureheads like Michael Terazi and Hanan Ashwari plead the Palestinian cause and point to the Israeli "occupation" as the root cause of all Palestinian problems.

Furthermore, organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) advocate the perception that, regardless of the reality, the Palestinians are occupied for life. The Bush administration has agreed to contribute $51 million to the agency's emergency appeal this year, more than double the $20 million it contributed last year. Overall, the U.S. donation to UNRWA amounts to over $100 million annually.

The monies themselves illustrate how the United States is perpetuating a state of utter dependency in which the Palestinian upper class fobs off all economic responsibilities onto the international community. If one looks at Palestinian society as a whole, more than anything it is lacking social mobility. There are two social classes in Palestinian society: a small affluent class and the poor, who comprise the majority of the population. However, poverty in Gaza is ghastly not because of the so-called occupation. Rather, it is a self-inflicted state of affairs created by Palestinian leaders who are supposed to govern and better the lives of Palestinians but instead prosper at their expense.

As long as Palestinians cling to the false notion of being occupied with Israel in the role of the oppressor, they will not assume responsibility for themselves.

The twisted psychology that Palestinians use to further their sense of victimization has successfully co-opted the feelings of the international community, to the detriment of both. It was former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir who said that as long as the Arabs hate the Jews more than they love their own children, there will never be peace in the Middle East. The continued incitement of terrorism suggests that that time has not yet arrived. For this, and for much of their suffering, the Palestinians have only themselves to blame."
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=22404

It's particularly troubling that our taxes are being used to, in effect, keep the Palestinians in the state their in, and enable their leaders to continue to terrorize Israel.

In the same way our welfare system perpetuates failure and dependence among our poorest, in a nation filled with opportunities for advancement.

In the same way our government's benevolence towards illegals keep Mexicans crossing the border, and prop up a corrupt Mexican Government.

Buying influence and friends (and votes) has become such an ingrained habit that our government no longer seems interested in results and outcomes. Throw money here... Throw money there... At least we're doing something...

But subsidizing a terrorist regime? I don't want my tax dollars invested in terrorism. Pursuing dividends of death is a sign that our brokers aren't representing our interests.

3 comments:

janice said...

Outstanding post Chris,

Like i said, if the only thing you create and export are suicide bombers you can't support a nation. Abu Mazen and hamas need to locate the millions that arafat stashed away in swiss accounts. Then maybe they can feed, educate and provide social services to the population they claim to serve.

Also, the maddrassas need to be shut down. The imams are fueling the fire of victimhood and hate. New school text books with Israel on the map and bring these people into reality, Israel does exsist.

Again, outstanding post!

Malott said...

Janice,

But who would do all that and when? I think it would take an all-out war of Biblical proportion to change the Palestinian leadership and people enough to accept the changes you've listed. It would take complete control and complete isolation of the area, allowing no interference from surrounding Arab states.

If there ever is an answer it will be bloody and very labor intensive.

Janice... As always, I really appreciate you and your thoughts.

SkyePuppy said...

Janice,

If Abu Mazen and Hamas locate Arafat's millions, they'd keep it for themselves. Nothing would change except the owner of the bank accounts.

I hate being a pessimist--it goes against my nature--but the situation the Palestinians are in is one of those that has no bright spot.