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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Power struggle hots up in Palestine
2006-10-03
IT IS NO SECRET THAT the Palestinian people have always struggled with the problem of impotent, self-seeking leaderships, who have historically invested far greater time fending for their own status and position at the helm – however worthless – than representing the legitimate rights and aspirations of an occupied nation. Alas, the present fails to deviate from that role, although it offers an unprecedented lesson. To differ is only human, indeed. But when political and ideological differences within the Palestinian leadership milieu turn into wide chasms that split further an already weakened and oppressed society in urgent need for national cohesion – amid incessant and sadly successful attempts to splinter its national identity – then one must dare question the wisdom and merit of such leadership that would allow for, in fact, instigate such a travesty.

The current leadership struggle in Palestine is an illustration of the misguided priorities of Palestinian leaders, and for once, Palestinians must possess the courage to realize and confront it. It has been well established that the current Hamas-led government was a direct manifestation of the democratic choice of the Palestinian people; a choice that was fought resolutely by an alliance that encompasses the United States and other Western allies, Israel and a few Arab governments. It was not the transparency of the elections they have rejected; rather the outcome. Each party in that alliance had good reason to disallow genuine Palestinian democracy – from their own self-absorbed viewpoint.

Of course, that rejection was not a mere political position, but quickly translated to the withholding of aid to the Palestinian government, needed to run the affairs of an occupied nation, robbed blind and collectively punished by Israel, a nation that lives, for obvious reasons, under utter economic dependency. With over 160,000 civil servants not receiving their pay checks, however meagre for the last seven months, the Palestinian economy has descended into chaos.
Posted by:Fred

#2  one must dare question the wisdom and merit of such leadership that would allow for, in fact, instigate such a travesty.

Unless they're Palestinian. Then it's just par for the course.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-10-03 09:28  

#1  robbed blind

The Paleos had stuff worth stealing. Who knew?
Posted by: phil_b   2006-10-03 02:06  

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