Submitted by Scott Baker, Jan 17, 2008 10:46

A nice and thoughtful attempt by Mr. Ibrahim to resolve one of the modern world's longest conflicts, but he misses a critical point: it is not in the Arab's interest to resolve the Palestinian question. The Palestinians are worth more to them in their poor, squalid refugee camps, with their constant strife and violence than as part of a resolved state solution. The Palestinian issue is one of the few workable distractions from the Arab lands' own highly dysfunctional monarchies. The fact is, there is more than enough money to solve the Palestinian problem tomorrow, if money was the only issue. The Saudis alone are raking in 10s of BILLIONS a week, mostly from America, in oil money. Instead of bringing up the standard of living of their own people, let alone the Palestinians, they spend it on lavish lifestyles that would make even Donald Trump envious. Even that is not enough, however, to put a dent in the accumulation of wealth of these countries. So now they are buying up American companies near bankruptcy at fire-sale prices while we go begging with twin bowls - one for their Sovereign Funding and a second for their oil. They wil now be collecting from America at both ends - from the bottom when we fill our gas tanks, and from the top as major owners of our largest coorporations. And we are supposed to pony up $250 billion to solve what is essentially an Arab problem? Oh, and let's not forget that money given to powers in the Middle East tends to get "redirected," to put it charitably.

Here's another way; give Israel everything it needs militarily to deal with the "hostile entity" amongst them, tell them to get off the stick and start defending themselves, and support them internationally when they do. Of course, the Palestinians will vow to fight to the death - well, yes, that is what we expect. Of course, the arab youth will protest in the streets of every Arab land within a thousand miles. Well, the Arabs reap what they sow. The ability, and apparent willingness, of Israel to take one Quasam rocket after another is astounding. Imagine if El Paso was bombarded in a similar way from a paramilitary group from Mexico. Would the U.S. government just say, "well, that is only a small city on our southern border, and not terribly important?" Would we accept a Mexican pronouncement that those were just rougue elements, not really under Mexican control? Not for very long, I'm sure. Either the government of Mexico would deal with that, and very quickly, or if they didn't or couldn't, we would. We should expect no less from Israel in her own self-defense.

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