WSJ KEITH MARSDEN: The Viability of Palestine

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 04/25/02 | KEITH MARSDEN

[Tolik]

It should by now be clear that a sustainable Mideast peace can only be built on two firm foundations. First, Israel's right to exist behind secure borders must be recognized. Second, a viable Palestinian state should be created. Though all these achievements appear unreachable right now, it's the viability part that looks the hardest at this point.

[Thud]

There will never be a Palestinian state now. Israel cannot allow a psychotically suicidal state to exist near it. The Palestinians would do a mass rocket/missile launch with chemical weapons at Israeli cities.

The possibility of a Palestinian state died with the suicide bombers becoming Palestinian cultural heroes.

IMO the end state will be ethnic cleansing of the West Bank and its annexation by Israel, probably coupled with genocide of many of its inhabitants and most to almost all of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. This won't happen by itself - there will be as big or bigger events in the Persian Gulf area plus Syria and Lebanon, with the Gulf ones involving us (no nukes, but whole countries ceasing to exist as nations, etc.).

I just hope the Israelis don't depopulate the Nile Valley when they go nuke.

[Tolik]

Ping! Some interesting numbers about Palestine economy before and now.

[RightWhale]

Perhaps if a few countries recognized the Palestinian state then some progress could begin. Who would be first to recognize a Palestinian state? Jordan? Syria? What would be the name of the Palestinian state?

[Tolik]

According to the World Bank, the living standards of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were higher than in most Arab countries in 1999. Palestinian income per head was nearly double Syria's, more than four times Yemen's, and 10% higher than Jordan's (one of the better off Arab states.) Only the oil-rich Gulf States and more Western-oriented Lebanon were more affluent.

Average life expectancy for Palestinians, 72 years, equaled Saudi Arabia's, and easily topped the 68-year average for all the countries of the Middle East and North Africa region. The illiteracy rate among Palestinian women had dropped to 23%, compared with 69% in Morocco, 61% in Egypt, 45% in Tunisia, and 44% in Syria.

As I always said: don't try to destroy Israel and kill the Jews, and peaceful trade can give you a way more. Plus, Israeli left was hard working in creating Palestinian state anyway.

 

[Tolik]

I'm not a champion of Palestinian state. I don't know. I don't have answers to you questions.

What I do know, that about half of Israeli did think in that direction. Now, obviously, after the terror attack, many of them have changed their opinion. Palestinians have destroyed themselves the shortest way into the world economy.

A de facto customs union between Israel and the territories has existed since 1967, and was formalized by the 1994 Paris Protocol. This gave preferential access to the Israeli market for Palestinian goods, and to the EU and the U.S markets. Israel has concluded free-trade agreements with both

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

What would be the name of the Palestinian state?

How about STUPIDLAND?

[dennisw]

Palestinians have destroyed themselves the shortest way into the world economy.

They don't care about this. All they want are death to Israel and Jihad.

[Tolik]

Palestinians have destroyed themselves the shortest way into the world economy.

They don't care about this. All they want are death to Israel and Jihad.

That is exactly the point that escapes people who see the Palestinians only as another disadvantaged group just asking for more rights. Without death wish for Israel they'd get everything. Their standard of living was on a par with the oil rich cousins already. (despite their hostility to Israel).

[knighthawk]

As usual, thanks for the ping.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

It's surprising that Arab countries, which share a common language, religion, culture, ethnic heritage and geographical proximity, should trade so little among themselves.

What are they going to do, trade oil with each other?

[tictoc]

According to the World Bank, the living standards of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were higher than in most Arab countries in 1999. Palestinian income per head was nearly double Syria's, more than four times Yemen's, and 10% higher than Jordan's (one of the better off Arab states.) Only the oil-rich Gulf States and more Western-oriented Lebanon were more affluent.

The squalor! Oh, the squalor!

Average life expectancy for Palestinians, 72 years, equaled Saudi Arabia's, and easily topped the 68-year average for all the countries of the Middle East and North Africa region. The illiteracy rate among Palestinian women had dropped to 23%, compared with 69% in Morocco, 61% in Egypt, 45% in Tunisia, and 44% in Syria.

Finally proof in black and white how the Israelis oppressed poor Palestinians. Is it any wonder that they had to rise up against their tormentors?

Housing standards were good in 1999. Over 80% of the Palestinian population owned their accommodation, 70% of them in houses or villas, including those built within what are still called refugee camps.

What a life! (If it can be called that - even a dog has better accommodations.)

Net transfers from the Israeli Treasury to the PA amounted to $542 million in 1998.

Exploitation pure and simple.

The intifada expanded to involve shooting by various militia groups, using weapons paid for with EU aid to official PA police and security forces.

Austria, Belgium and several other EU countries recently signed a UNHCR resolution endorsing the Palestinian "liberation" movement "by any means, including armed struggle."

Time to wipe this abomination called Israel off the face of the earth!

[My Identity]

It should by now be clear that a sustainable Mideast peace can only be built on two firm foundations. First, Israel's right to exist behind secure borders must be recognized. Second, a viable Palestinian state should be created.

How is point 2 clear? I would argue that, in fact, the opposite is clear.

The Palestinians have destroyed themselves the shortest way into the world economy

This assumes that that is what the Palis want. Both their own actions and the actions of their cultural bretheren strongly suggest they don't want into the world economy. In short, "The Palestinians have destroyed themselves (period)"

p.s., thanks for the ping dw

[agrace]

Hmm, let's see - better living standards than most Arab countries, higher income than most Arab countries, higher life expectancy, much lower illiteracy rate, better health care, better housing - they mostly own their own homes, even in the "camps" - imagine that, better economy than other Arab states, and what other foreign country allows 25% of its neighbor's workforce to cross the border to work each day? Not only that, transfer levied taxes back to the neighbor's govt, and free trade agreements between both.

Man, those Jews really know how to keep a man down.

[RnMomof7]

To me the big issue is that the Muslims have citizenship in Israel...and large families..if they are patient they will be able to vote Israel out of existence.

My plan would be give them a piece of lane and then tell them from this day forward there will be no citizenship for Muslims by birth

[dennisw]

As usual, thanks for the ping----->

You are very welcome. Keep the faith! :)

[dennisw]

Add to this Israel still sending water and electric to Pallies they cannot pay for......Unless they transfer to Israel some of the EU billions they get.

[knighthawk]

You know I will!

[grebu]

What you fail to understand (not that I blame you, it's just not covered like it should be) is that Palestinians consider "Palestine" to be all the territory from the West Bank to the Mediteranian Sea. ALL of it. They don't consider Israel, and feel that Israel has no right to exist. But don't take my word for it when you can read article 19 of the Palestinian Authority Charter

http://www.pna.org/mininfo/key/charter.htm

[rmlew]

Ping