Eastern Jerusalem Arabs Are Scared To Death Of Becoming Palestinians
Don't take my word for it.
E. Jerusalem Arabs Prefer Israeli Rule
Many eastern Jerusalem Arabs are unhappy over the prospect of their neighborhoods becoming part of a Palestinian state, as demanded by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Toronto Globe & Mail quoted Nabil Gheit, a shop owner and mayor of the Ras Hamis community in Jerusalem, as saying that if a referendum were held on the issue, "no one would vote to join the Palestinian Authority." PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has declared that any agreement that is signed with Israel will be submitted to the people for a vote.
Imposing PA rule in the area would cause another Intifada "to defend ourselves from the PA," he added. "At least in Israel, there's law."
This is not the first time such sentiments have been expressed. I myself have spoken with some Palestinians who declared that they were far happier and definitely more prosperous financially under Israeli rule than under the Palestinian Authority. One businessman whispered to me, 'I pray every day that Israel will take back Bethlehem [his former home]. We had a good life there under Israeli rule. Since Bethlehem was given to the PA, we have all fled out of there. Thugs rule the streets. It's awful."
Technorati Tags: Israel, PA, Palestinian+Authority, Mahmoud, Abbas, Bethlehem, Palestinians
E. Jerusalem Arabs Prefer Israeli Rule
Many eastern Jerusalem Arabs are unhappy over the prospect of their neighborhoods becoming part of a Palestinian state, as demanded by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Toronto Globe & Mail quoted Nabil Gheit, a shop owner and mayor of the Ras Hamis community in Jerusalem, as saying that if a referendum were held on the issue, "no one would vote to join the Palestinian Authority." PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has declared that any agreement that is signed with Israel will be submitted to the people for a vote.
Imposing PA rule in the area would cause another Intifada "to defend ourselves from the PA," he added. "At least in Israel, there's law."
This is not the first time such sentiments have been expressed. I myself have spoken with some Palestinians who declared that they were far happier and definitely more prosperous financially under Israeli rule than under the Palestinian Authority. One businessman whispered to me, 'I pray every day that Israel will take back Bethlehem [his former home]. We had a good life there under Israeli rule. Since Bethlehem was given to the PA, we have all fled out of there. Thugs rule the streets. It's awful."
Technorati Tags: Israel, PA, Palestinian+Authority, Mahmoud, Abbas, Bethlehem, Palestinians
posted by Olah Chadasha @ 10/18/2007 01:48:00 PM
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5 Comments:
And this is why palestinian nationalism has always failed. They have never, not once, even tried to put the real effort into it that it takes to succeed.
And now we see the result. And so do they.
Absolutely. Unfortunately, that still won't stop them from screaming about oppression and occupation, regardless of whether they actually want to be part of a Palestinian state. What's their identity if they don't have their persecution to hold onto?
-OC
It is correct to state that during parts of the occupation and in parts of the occupied territories live was better for some Palestinians under Israeli rule. You do need to go back a little in time for that.
Unfortunately many of your brethren believe only in a completely Arab-free Israel (see e.g. Benny Elon), in the same way a considerable minority of Palestinians dream of a Jew-free Palestine.
considerable minority of Palestinians dream of a Jew-free Palestine
Gert, considering that the PA has made selling land to a Jew a death-penalty offense, I think that it's more an a minority who want it, and they are doing more than dreaming.
Gert, your claim that many of my "brethren" dream of an Arab-free has no basis in fact. The Palestinian dream of a judenrhein Palestine is a national ambition written into the PA's charter, taught in schools, and treated as official policy trumps any small minority of Jews who voice their OPINION. It is certainly NOT part of the governmental vernacular, and nothing but peace is taught in our school. I know you like to make moral relative equivalences between the Palestinians and the Israelis, but they just don't fly in the face of the facts. This doesn't include the fact that HAMAS, the terrorist group dedicated to Israel's destruction, was overwhelmingly voted into power and the majority in 2006. And, don't use the "They were voted in to combat Fatah's corruption" argument. Once again, facts say otherwise. The Palestinians know what HAMAS stands for, and they overwhelmingly support their goal of destroying Israel. This is a majority, my friend.
As per your first statement, the time you would have to go to is pre-Oslo. Since the PA has taken over control of more than 90% of the Territories, the standard of living and quality of life has drastically declined. Polls have consistently shown that Palestinians in the age bracket of mid 30s and above, those that lived and worked pre-Oslo, have stated that life was much better at all levels under Israeli rule than under the PA. Even in GAZA, of all places, Palestinians are coming out in public and risking their lives by basically begging for the Israelis to come back and reoccupy them.
Gert, your constant attempts to make the Palestinians better than facts allow them to be, and the Israelis worse than facts show them to be is simply pointless, and it really doesn't accomplish anything.
-OC
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