GAZA, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Tuesday poured cold water on any hopes a new unity government might seek peace talks with Israel.
Asked by Reuters if the new administration would negotiate with the Jewish state, Haniyeh said: "No. Negotiations have to do with the PLO and not with the government."
Haniyeh, who is likely to head the new government, has previously said he would not object to President Mahmoud Abbas negotiating with Israel. A spokesman for the current Hamas government reiterated that position earlier on Tuesday.
And here I thought we were dealing with the Religion of Peace.
Ok, so Hamas, who is in control of the Palestinian government, refuses to abandon its Charter which calls for the destruction of Israel. I wonder if there will be any repercussions for this decision?
Repercussions -- Palestinian economy is on the verge of collapse. (That didn't take long.)
A Western aid boycott has left the Palestinian economy "on the verge of collapse", with two out of three families living below the poverty level, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The economy could shrink next year to the level of 15 years ago and unemployment rise to over 50 percent.
Israel's separation barrier, which led to the confiscation of almost one-fifth of West Bank farm land and lower agricultural production, was also a factor in the decline, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said.
After the Islamic militant group Hamas took power in March, nearly all donors suspended budgetary support and development aid to the Palestinian Authority, which was $800 million in 2005, according to the UNCTAD report.
Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction, is labeled a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union (EU).
"Dwindling donor support has left the Palestinian Authority in a perilous financial position" in terms of its solvency and ability to deliver services, the Geneva-based agency said in its annual report on the Palestinian people.
"Poverty continues to widen and deepen," it said, noting that many households had built up big debts.
***
Raja Khalidi, coordinator of UNCTAD's assistance to the Palestinian people, said
that if both aid and public expenditures were cut by 50 percent throughout 2007,
compared with normal levels, the consequences could be disastrous.
"By these calculations, the Palestinian economy will implode over the next 18 months if these current constraints are not removed," Khalidi told a news briefing.
"Per capita income would be down to less than $1,000 per person, a level not witnessed for 25 years -- for a generation," he added.
Well, no offense, but I have very little, umm, NO sympathy for the economic
problems of the Palestinians. At one time, prior to all the intifadas,
Gaza had a relatively thriving economy. It was known for cheap and quality dentistry and was also the capital of hydroponic lettuce (the only
way to have Kosher lettuce.) Now, years of fighting Israel has left
their economy in ruins.
And in the ultimate act of cutting of your nose to spite your face, Palestinians elect a terrorist organization to represent them. I have said it before and will say it again: If the Palestinians want Hamas to be their elected representatives, well great for them, just don't expect the world to ignore this fact and fund and support them.
If the Palestinians want a thriving economy again the formula is simple. Accept peace with Israel, dump the terrorist organizations, and join the civilized world as a productive member of society. Otherwise, you reap what you sow.
No comments:
Post a Comment