Posted on 06/15/2006 4:03:21 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Palestinians Mount Violent Protest Over Lack of Paychecks
By IAN FISHER
JERUSALEM, June 14 Palestinian civil servants stormed the parliament building in the West Bank on Wednesday demanding back pay and chanting "We are hungry!"
Fistfights broke out as protesters hurled plastic water bottles at legislators from Hamas, the militant group that controls parliament, forcing the speaker to flee the building.
It was the second violent protest this week at parliament, in Ramallah, and underscored growing pressure on the Hamas government on several fronts.
Much of the Western aid that had been used to run the Palestinian Authority has been withheld since Hamas took over the government after winning January elections. Many Muslim nations had pledged their support, but international banks, most tied to the American system, have refused to transfer money from other donors.
So on Wednesday, the Hamas foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar, crossed over into Gaza from Egypt carrying what Palestinian officials said was $20 million in cash in his suitcases. He was returning from a long trip to Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, China, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt.
Hamas, responsible for many of the deadliest suicide attacks against Israel, has refused to renounce violence or recognize the Israeli state since it won control of parliament in January.
Though a substantial sum, the $20 million is a fraction of $120 million the Palestinian Authority needs each month just for the salaries of its 165,000 employees, most of whom have not been paid for four months. Its current budget would require an additional $45 million for all costs other than salaries.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
So on Wednesday, the Hamas foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar, crossed over into Gaza from Egypt carrying what Palestinian officials said was $20 million in cash in his suitcases.
Dubya got them where they hurt most. This kind of financial sanction also dealt a major blow to N. Korea.
He's lucky that's all the palifascists hurled at him.
I'd also like to know what countries I could travel to that would let me waltz out with 20 mill in cash in my suitcases.
L
Yeah, but NK didn't have the kind of constituency among the MSM that the PA has.
Suha, the Terrorist: "We have plenty of (your) money. Billions and billions.
It's just that (others') Palestinian children blow up so quickly."
$727.27 a month salary.
Good point. Have you listened to National Palestinian Radio lately? 24/7, around the clock propaganda for the Palestinian "cause". And the taxpayer picks up the tab.
that picture will live in infamy
the traitor french-kissing the terrorist
It's bad to be dependent on one's enemies for fuel. It's much worse to be dependent on one's enemies for food. Shouting anti-US slogans in the streets while firing guns overhead makes for good photo ops, but it doesn't put food on the table.
Maybe they'll figure out eventually that until they grow up, accept reality, and act like peaceful adults we aren't going to give them a dime.
And we shouldn't.
Our Coast Guard is less than 40,000 people, and look at the momumental achievements it performs every day.
What in the Sam Hill are these 165,000 employees doing?
I could find plenty of work for them to do, but they would actually have to work and improve themselves.
They can start by cleaning up their own streets.
Ah,yes, but then the PA will run around screaming, yelling, raising all kinds of h%$# claming they were driven to it. You know:
"Our children are hungry!"
"Our babies need clean water!"
The U.S. will be blamed
"...Many Muslim nations had pledged their support, but international banks, most tied to the American system, have refused to transfer money from other donors..."
MSM will eat it up. The Left will run with it. And the State Department will shovel $$$ at the PA hoping to just shut them all up.
I suspect that it is a giant welfare program. Work in name only.
As my union father used to tell his co-workers when they griped, "You don't have to take that sh-t! Quit! Don't bother calling your commitie-man! He's not listening to you! Just march into the foremans office and quit!"
I need more popcorn.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.