Aid to Palestinians

I have no doubt that there are Palestinians that need aid. But unfortunately a few people are ruining it for the many. But is it deeper than that? I believe so. If you live in a society that tolerates terroristic activities than you should also be held accountable. I was announced Friday that the U.S. , EU, and other Arab nations would be increasing the aid to Palestinians as much as double. This would bring the total to $4-6 billion over four years. I have commented previously on what I think of sending money to a largely "terrorist tolerant" nation. Remember the celebrations? The aid is said to be given as a condition that Palestinians and Israel take steps to reduce their conflict. (Translation: Hamas should limit its suicide bombings to one a year.) It is surprising that so much is given, with the intent of limiting attacks. Once the money has been transferred the Palestinian leaders will give the o.k. for commencement of attacks. If the U.S., Europe, and other Arabs (and the rest of the world) would like to cease the conflict there is one simple solution:

1. Withhold all aid to both parties, Palestinians and Israel. This will give both sides motivation to make talks work. Minimal aid will be given for at least 2 years, provided there remains no attacks from either side.
2. Set stepping stones for the peace process. At each juncture certain aid will then be released to each country. One good place to start would be the disbanding of the Hamas, which has only served to divide and make the situation much worse.
3. If at any point during the process an assassination attempt or suicide attack is carried out, the two year waiting period for aid, restarts. Any aid that is given to either side must go into this fund. No under the table money to Israel. Although it seems that most of the fault lies with the terrorist activities of the Palestinians, there must be sacrifices on both sides to show that they are dedicated to peace.

Obviously these steps look simple but fail to account for several factors. There will still be hatred between both sides for many years and decades, even if everything goes as planned. There could be one or two bad eggs that don't want peace that will try to destroy the entire process.

Both sides would benefit by a significant good faith contribution to the other side. If Israel gave access to holy sites of the Palestinians, tore the wall down, and allowed more free movement of the Palestinians, this would go along way to helping the process. If Palestinian officials would round up all of the terrorist organizations that have conducted suicide attacks, and have them put on trial for murder, this would go along way to helping the process. Both sides would need to show to their citizens that violence in not the solution, and that it is possible to live without fear.

Of course, all this would be a good job for the United Nations. Their own Department of Political Affairs states their primary responsibility as:

"...provides advice and support on all political matters to the Secretary-General in the exercise of his global responsibilities under the United Nations Charter relating to the maintenance of peace and security. The Department carries out activities related to the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, peace-building, electoral assistance, substantive support and secretariat services to the Security Council, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples."

I wouldn't hold my breath that the UN will do anything more than pass a resolution to solve the conflict. They have been trying to resolve the conflict since the end of WW II. I would say they are about to rap up the solution.