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| Israel-Palestine |
| U.N. Crews Halt West Bank Reconstruction |
| 2004-06-10 |
Thu, Jun 10, 2004 By ALI DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank - The United Nations (news - web sites) suspended a construction project in this refugee camp after Palestinian gunmen threatened crews rebuilding houses destroyed by Israeli forces, a U.N. official said Thursday. Many residents of the Jenin camp are complaining that their new houses, replacing those destroyed in Israeli incursions, are not big enough, said Sami Mshasha of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, which aids Palestinian refugees. Does anyone really wonder what is causing the recent spate of donor fatigue? In the most recent attack, five Palestinians from one family barged into the U.N. office in Jenin on Tuesday and opened fire with M-16 and Kalashnikov assault rifles, said Fahri Turkman, a Palestinian lawmaker. No one was hurt, but it was the third such attack on U.N. personnel in the past six months. "We decided yesterday to freeze the construction until we can see that these irresponsible acts will not happen again," Mshasha said. U.N. officials complained to local leaders, who promised to rein in the militants, he said. How about posting some soldiers who will kill any further attackers? That might send a clear message, instead of turning tail every time someone hiccoughs. One gunman, who identified himself as Abu Maher, said he took action because the house promised to him was only half the size of the one Israeli forces destroyed. He said dissatisfaction in the camp was widespread, with some residents saying the wait for a new home was too long. In more than three years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, Palestinian police have become increasingly ineffective — particularly in the West Bank, where Israel does not allow Palestinian officers to patrol in uniform or with arms. Filling the void are gunmen who often resort to violence to settle personal scores. The Jenin camp, one of the most militant in the West Bank, was the scene of a fierce battle in April 2002 that left 52 Palestinian gunmen and 23 Israeli soldiers dead. Israeli bulldozers moving down the narrow streets shaved the fronts off many buildings, leaving them uninhabitable. Hundreds of homes were reduced to rubble. The Jenin raid was part of "Operation Defensive Shield," launched after 29 Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing carried out by a militant from the camp. As part of the reconstruction, the U.N. agency is building 430 houses with $27 million from the United Arab Emirates, Mshasha said. Seventy apartments have been built so far, and more than 1,000 damaged houses have been repaired. At least nine alleyways have been widened to ensure that new homes lining them are not damaged by Israeli armored vehicles in the future, a U.N. worker said. At least someone has made some realistic plans for the future. More visits from Mister Caterpillar are pretty much a sure bet. Mshasha denied this, saying the roads were widened to improve the quality of life in the cramped camp by allowing for two-way traffic and sidewalks. Whatever the reason, many residents are unhappy with the smaller new houses. Raed Karawi said the agency gave him an apartment of 600 square feet. "This is not enough for me and my wife to live. We will have children soon. This is not fair," he said, threatening to buy 20 old cars and block the new roads. So build yer own house, ya ingrate! Not everyone is complaining, however. A few are sane. Near the edge of the camp is a row of gleaming white buildings, one of them the three-story home of the 12-member Aweid family. Ali and Hind Aweid said Thursday that they also received new rose-print sofa and other furniture. "The truth is that it is even nicer than before, even twice or three times better," said Hind Aweid, 52. The Aweids lived in a rented apartment until their new home was completed late last year. The pampering of these morons defies all reason. They have yet to fully realize the true diminsions of Arafat’s ill-thought-out political strategy. Only when Israel completely withdraws and leaves these f&%kwits to their own |
| Posted by:Zenster |
| #6 Wonder what they'll complain about when the free food quits coming? |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-06-10 10:51:50 PM |
| #5 Reminds me of the one 'humanitarian' project in San Antonio I got roped into - painting houses of the 'less than fortunate'. The recipients spent most of their time pointing out where we "missed", bitching how we were getting paint on their lawns, how they didn't like the trim color, etc. Maybe 3 out of the twenty thanked us. Guess I should be grateful they didn't open up on us. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-06-10 9:46:54 PM |
| #4 In the most recent attack, five Palestinians from one family barged into the U.N. office in Jenin on Tuesday and opened fire with M-16 and Kalashnikov assault rifles... Jeez, UNRWA. Fifty something years of coddling and kissing these assholes behinds... and this is the thanks you get. Why you'd almost get the feeling they're... ungrateful! |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-06-10 9:28:19 PM |
| #3 fuckwit Abu Maher and his clan should be banned from living in the West Bank - catapult his ass to Lebanon and let them stress their importance there. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-06-10 8:00:56 PM |
| #2 Damn, I wish the James gang were still around. We could issue those suckers a letter of reprisal and let rob the west bank. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-06-10 7:50:25 PM |
| #1 The pampering of these morons defies all reason Au contraire, it's very easy for the thugs, dictators, and thieves that warm 2/3 of the UN General Assembly chairs to find it reasonable to pamper the thugs, dictators, and thieves who live in Palestine. Soul mates, yes? The bigger question is why WE send US taxpayer $ to pamper the losers at the UN. Reagan had it right - withold US contributions to the UN until they start behaving themselves and showing themselves worthy of our support. Yes, it will be rather humorous to see the sinking ship of corrupt and useless Palestinian dunderheads self destruct once Israel pulls out of the West Bank. |
| Posted by: rex 2004-06-10 7:39:45 PM |