Posted on 07/07/2002 6:59:50 PM PDT by Pokey78
Poverty and a failure of leadership have brought Palestinian doubts over their corrupt authority out into the open, reports Patrick Bishop in Gaza
President George W Bush's call for changes in the Palestinian leadership appears to have intensified an internal debate about the performance of Yasser Arafat and emboldened dissenters to air their views in public.
Critics of the move maintained that the American intervention would result in a surge of support for the veteran leader.
But in Gaza yesterday, Palestinians spoke frankly about the corruption and inefficiency of Mr Arafat's rule. There was also censure of his handling of relations with Israel, which has resulted in it re-establishing an iron grip on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The consequences of the Israeli policies could be seen at the Erez crossing point, where rows of Palestinian workers queued for hours in the tarmac-melting sun to register for permits that may allow them to work inside Israel again.
Before the second intifada began 21 months ago, about 40,000 crossed each day. Since then the border has been closed and almost all these jobs have disappeared, along with 100,000 others, as the local economy has run into the sand.
"I haven't made a penny for nearly two years," said Mohammed Attar, 36, who has a wife and eight children to support and who previously worked as a chef inside Israel. "My family tried to help but they have run out of money."
Mr Attar blames Israel for closing the border. But he is also angry with the Palestinian Authority, which has paid him the equivalent of £125 in the time he has been jobless. Last, week he joined tens of thousands of workers who marched in Gaza to demand work or dole money.
Mr Attar's view of Mr Arafat is simple: "If he can solve our problem he is welcome to stay. If not, he should go."
Palestinian intellectuals are bemused by the Americans' enthusiasm for reform. They accuse Washington and Israel of previously ignoring the corruption and repression practised by the Palestinian Authority and supporting Mr Arafat in power. They also wonder how they can rebuild their society with large swathes of the West Bank under Israeli occupation.
They accept, however, that the American call has forced Mr Arafat into long-overdue elections. "It's come about because of Arafat, and not because they are convinced of the need for reform, that is the sad reality" said Salah Abdel Shafi, a management consultant who may be a candidate. "But it doesn't mean that the process is bad."
There seems to be wide agreement that the system Mr Arafat planted after his return, installing his cronies in positions that they abused, must be uprooted. There is also a perception that his handling of the new uprising has been disastrous. "Arafat has made big mistakes," said one political analyst. "He failed to create a consensus about the objectives of the intifada and the leadership has kept people in the dark."
Mr Abdel Shafi believes that after the uprising had successfully made the point that "when there's no just solution there will be no stability", it should have been terminated. Instead, its continuation and the advent of suicide bombers has put the Palestinians on the defensive, especially after September 11. "We became the Palestinian Taliban," he said.
Western-looking Palestinians resent the idea that they have silently tolerated corruption and repression and point out there has been opposition to Mr Arafat's rule from the beginning.
The elections offer a mechanism for hope, but not if the Israeli occupation persists. "If you continue with incursions and assassinations, I guarantee the extremists will win," said Mr Abdel Shafi.
LOL! I was just fixing to say the same thing!!
Nice name. The 'r' doesn't fool anyone pal.
His Masters in Business Administration notwithstanding, his jet fighter pilot training (who couldn't fly a plane?), and he surely couldn't hold a candle to intellectual heavyweight Al Gore in a political debate, that's for sure. Al would let him rip, yeah, that's the ticket.
Am I the only one, or is there someone else out there who has also come to believe that Democrats/Socialists/Terrorists are all cut from the same filthy cloth?
I simply cannot respect anyone who shares their world views.
With the exception of elderly Roosevelt democrats who are clueless about the real Rat party, I have zero respect for anyone who continues to support that criminal enterprise.
how about putting on the Bush Doctrine unfolds list. This is somewhat of a surprise!
Bush Doctrine Unfolds :
| To find all articles tagged or indexed using Bush Doctrine Unfold , click below: | ||||
| click here >>> | Bush Doctrine Unfold | <<< click here | ||
| (To view all FR Bump Lists, click here) | ||||
By the way, Seven of Nine tells me that Cheney supposedly met with the Palestinian opposition to Arafat in New York. Ha!
Google is stumped on that one!
That is impressive.
For a small fee starting at $2.50 Google Answers will research and find an answer for me , but I am just gonna ask you guys!
Whatcha you talking about?
He has removed 4.1 million acres from the dreaded Red Legged Frog, critters, endangered species Bravo Sierra: ( California frog loses 4 million protected acres)
I am astounded that Google had nothing to say on that!
Found this:Up-coming High Plains Films screenings/broadcasts:
EL CABALLO: THE WILD HORSES OF NORTH AMERICA, 54 minutes, 2001
- PBS stations - check local listings
- FSTV (Dish Network satellite)
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