Replies

I was thinking about their GDP of $110 billion and their central government's budget of $45B annually. Foreign aid helps but is not essential. With a per capita income of over $18,000 this is greater than many EU nations (as is their state budget... twice as large as Ireland with similar demographics). This is 5-6 times greater than any of her neighbors Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria. Imagine how much better this picture would look if they didn't have to devote so much money to fighting off 5 attacks in 50 years. 65 posted on 11/3/01 12:57 PM Pacific by monkeyshine [ Post Reply

That's why those Islamic Palestinians hang around Israel, like vultures, attracted to the money making situations, while at the same time,thinking of and implementing schemes to murder all Israelis. Sorta like wanting to have their cake, and eating it too! Or having their cake, and destroying it too! What a bunch of losers!

It is absurd. When the Egypt-Israel accords were signed, many Israelis had visions of a great co-operation between the two countries, trading resources and technology and starting an economic boom on the south side of the Med. At the time, Israel could have contributed immense agricultural technologies and many in the agriculture industry had hoped to be able to work with the Egyptians to improve their farmland.

The Egyptians would have none of it. The economic success of Israel can be duplicated by any nation that values education, cooperation, understanding. The only Islamic state I can think of that comes close to these values is Turkey. Any nation that subjucates women, places little value on education, is not responsive to the economic desires of their citizens, and encourages war is going to be a wasteland. Unfortunately, this describes almost all of the Arab states. Only the Oil states have been able to avert it to some degree (Saudi Arabia has over 20% unemployment despite all the riches) but that is obviously due to oil money. Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt could be as successful as Israel but they are going to have to overthrow their leaders, open their societies, and value the things we in the west value. Until then they will remain far behind.