Money For Nothing

Once again, the Palestinian Authority is getting money it neither deserves nor should ever receive. The PA is thoroughly dominated by the terrorist organization Fatah, and while the US now considers them to be a partner in peace, they continue to engage in attacks on Israel.

Some 90 countries and international organizations came together in Paris for the biggest pledging conference in more than a decade; the Palestinians are requesting $5.6 billion over three years.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged $555 million for 2008. However, the money includes about $400 million that the White House announced but has not been approved by Congress.

For renewed peace efforts to succeed, she said, "the continued and unwavering support of the international community is absolutely vital. That is why we are here today, and not a moment too soon."

"The Palestinian Authority is experiencing a serious budgetary crisis," Rice said. "This conference is literally the government's last hope to avoid bankruptcy."

From international Mideast envoy Tony Blair to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, participants called for urgent action, saying a new chance for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal must not be missed. Peace talks resumed last week after seven years of diplomatic deadlock, and international aid is seen as key to making the process work.

"We will not rest until we have that two-state solution a reality in this region of the world," Blair, a co-sponsor of the conference, told the conference.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the donors must "invest now, invest generously, and remain steadfast in their financial commitments over the next 36 months."

Some of the biggest donors announced their pledges at the start of the conference. The European Union said it would give $650 million in 2008 and Norway pledged $140 million a year for three years. Britain, France and Germany announced a combined $1.08 billion for three years.

The fact that Fatah continues to engage in terrorism, not to mention refuses to adhere to its obligations under Oslo to cease and desist from inciting Palestinians to violence against Israel should alone disqualify them from receiving any payment, but the diplomats consider the alternative in Hamas to be worse.

I disagree.

Fatah and Hamas may fight each other at every opportunity and differ on the means and whether to turn whatever lands the Palestinians control into an Islamic state, but both agree on the destruction of Israel. Fatah is just more willing to use diplomacy to further their goals, while Hamas will use more overt methods of destroying Israel.