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Mitchell: Palestinians' financial buildup cannot replace diplomatic route
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 19.02.09, 22:04
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1. Palestinian "financial buildup"
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.19.09)
The only thing Palestinian that has been financially built up are the foreign bank accounts held by a number of petty Palestinian Authority dictators. Keep in mind that the Palestine Authority has been the recipient of 200 billion US dollars in cash aid, and about 240 billion euros in cash aid. With nothing to show for it in terms of attracting joint venture capital or investment capital. Israel maintains the infrastructure so even that isn't an issue. But now some Palestinians enjoy lavish homes in Europe and hefty Swiss bank accounts. Despicable, isn't it? Did anyone really expect a different outcome?
2. old dinosaur mitchell spouts diplomatic rubbish
Bernard Ross ,   st anns bay jamaica   (02.19.09)
there is no need for the outsiders like Mitchell to come at all. it is the continuous meddling of all the outsiders that has prolonged war and conflict in the area. The clueless idiots from abroad are full of wind and arrogance pretending that they actually know something when all they do is spout the rubbish of their predecessors until a new initiative pops up and theyn they spout that.
3. Obama's war against Jews
herb glatter ,   what was America   (02.19.09)
Obama's first call was to Abbas, now bring in Hamas. It's gonna get ugly real soon.
4. BS with a capital S
Ben ,   Monroe USA   (02.19.09)
BS is now the theme of Mitchell. The PA rec'd billions of $ and Euros and it wound up in the pockets of whatever the leaders of the PA were at the time. Just as Hamas now has robbed the people of Gaza in order to buy more weaponry. The Arab world has promised billions more in oil money which will if really donated, will be for weaponry certainly nothing else. Wake up Mitchell. The truth is smacking you in the face.
5. Mitchell's "diplomatic route"
Debra ,   UK   (02.20.09)
Neither can a deplomatic route replace an ideological conflict. Hopefully, the new government will be aware of it. Israel's safety is dependent on the nations' recognition of Israel's holy places. A compromise on the truth implies a denial of the Jewish state.
6. Mitch is a moron.
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (02.20.09)
He can quit giving my tax money to terrorist organizations that kill Jews.
7. Mitchell's simplistic ideas
Brod ,   USA   (02.20.09)
Mitchell does know much about the region apart from listening to Islamist-Jihadist homilies. He needs to know the history, religion, nature, modus operandi, agenda and goal of Islamist-Jihadism. Until he knows this, he will only be offering simplistic solutions to complex problems. Israel has more experience and knowledge of the region. Mitchell should listen to Netanyahu who has a better solution to address the problem. If they think that land will solve the problem of the dark forces, they know nothing. In the last 3 years, 2 wars were fought after Israel ceded land to the Islamist-Jihadists. Mitchell needs to understand that the goal of the Islamist-Jihadists is the destruction of Israel. They state it clearly in their Charter, school textbooks and Maps! You offer them an inch, and they demand a mile. Right now, the Islamist-Jihadists (so-called Palestinians) are using Deception or Taqiyya to fool and manipulate the world-America and the West and others to do their dirty work of crusading their Jihadism on Israel, that is, to enable them to usurp Israel's liberated biblical and historic homeland as a first step in achieving their Charter. Mitchell is definitely unqualified to be America's man in the region. First, he is old. Second, his knowledge of the region is shallow. Third, he is not a scholar who has a Kissingerian intellect. Fourth, his track record in the Northern Ireland case was overblown. What stopped the conflict there was 9/11 when it brought the Irish and the British to their senses that there was a greater enemy to Western Civilization than their conflict. Fifth he is a Papist. Papism invented AntiSemitism. Hence, he is bias. Peace cannot be imposed. Peace can only be achieved when the Islamist-Jihadists are ready to live in peace without preconditions. Land for peace is NOT peace. Infact it is a recipe for war as shown in the last 3 years.
8. financial buildup............
das ,   israel   (02.20.09)
no time for that. they have had enough time .......or they deliver or they go to..............
9. Western Taxpayer should know !
Robert Bernier ,   Tel Aviv   (02.20.09)
Since the Oslo Accords, the PA received some $14 billion to 20 billion in international aid, according to a 2007 Funding for Peace coalition (FPC) report to the British Parliament. Each Palestinian received $4.000 to $8.000 per year. The PA received “the highest per capita aid transfer in the history of foreign aid anywhere”, according to former World Bank country director for Gaza and the West Bank, Nigel Roberts. Not surprisingly, hundreds of thousands of Gazans spent more than $300 million in less than two week shopping spree, after Hamas blew up the border with Egypt.Yet the Palestinian economy is in ruins. More explanations at : http://xrl.us/bi7j5
10. Transparancy of the “Palestinian” finances.
Robert Bernier ,   Tel Aviv   (02.20.09)
In March 2007, “Prime Minister” and former World Bank official Salam Fayyad, told London’s Daily Telegraph : “No one can give donors that assurance that funds reach their designated destinations”. Where is all of the transparency in all this ? It’s gone. “Controlling Palestinian finances” Fayyad concluded, “is virtually impossible…” More complementary aspect of the destination of the Western taxpayer’s money and the PA ecomomy at : http://xrl.us/bmpkp
11. Livni s right.
(02.20.09)
Seems that Obama and Netanyahu are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
12. #1 Sarah
Mark Wilson ,   usa   (02.20.09)
Sarah are you on the wrong side of 40 by that much? You certainly seem to have a lot of time blabbing your childish views over and over again. Where do you get your figures from? What proof do you have of those secret bank accounts and lavish homes?
13. CORRECTION-Mitchell's Simplistic Ideas #7
Brod ,   USA   (02.20.09)
It should read, "Mitchell does NOT know much..."
14. Leave mitch alone. He is feeble minded
jason white ,   afula,israel   (02.20.09)
and just following orders from sheik obama.
15. Ohh,Good Morning Sarah it sounds you just woke up!!
Rami Abu Ghalyion ,   Tulkarem-Palestine   (02.20.09)
Do you know that Israel has to destroy all of the Infrastructures which it has been set up in cooperation with USA &EU&GULF COUNTRIES,WORLD BANK! DO you know that isreal is controling all of crossings to the out-side world!! Do you know that israel controls the Taxes which it paid by the palestinians!! Do you know that all of the arab promises to support budget of the palestinian Authority its Remaning ink on-papers?? if you have to blame a side blames the occupation not the palestinian authority staff which they Reciving thier Salaries from israel!!
16. #9:U.S. Financial Aid To Israel
Rami Abu Ghalyion ,   Tulkarem-palestine   (02.20.09)
Benefits to Israel of U.S. Aid Since 1949 (As of November 1, 1997) Foreign Aid Grants and Loans $74,157,600,000 Other U.S. Aid (12.2% of Foreign Aid) $9,047,227,200 Interest to Israel from Advanced Payments $1,650,000,000 Grand Total $84,854,827,200 Total Benefits per Israeli $14,630 Cost to U.S. Taxpayers of U.S. Aid to Israel Grand Total $84,854,827,200 Interest Costs Borne by U.S. $49,936,680,000 Total Cost to U.S. Taxpayers $134,791,507,200 Total Taxpayer Cost per Israeli $23,240
17. To: Mark Wilson at No. 12
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.20.09)
The proof is in the lifestyle. Yasir Arafat (may his name be cursed through eternity) was a terrorist by profession and inclination. No visible means of support. His widow lives in a penthouse apartment on the Avenue d'Iena in Paris. She has a lifetime annuity of approximately $10 million per month. Yes, I said lifetime. Yes, I said per month. Dr. George Habash (may his name be cursed for all eternity) graduated from medical school; he never practiced medicine, which is just as well because doctors save lives; he devoted the better part of his life to taking lives. Founded PFLP. "Creative" impulse behind Black September and the murder of Israeli athletes (z.l.) at the Munich Olympics. Founder of Islamic Jihad (which is kind of interesting, because he was born into a Christian family). Always refused to set foot in territories controlled by the Palestine Authority, so lived grandly in a villa near Milan part of the year and in an equally luxurious villa in Amman until his death. That's just for starters, Mr. Wilson. It is also fairly easy to find the documentation. You just have to be willing to put the effort into looking it up (there is a litle something called the Freedom of Information Act, dear, and you can petition for the release of unreleased (and unclassified) documents using that). I confess to having good friends with access to this information, too. But I ask you this, Mr. Wilson: all that money. What is there to show for it in the territories controlled by the Palestine Authority? Absolutely nothing. Follow the money, Mr. Wilson. The P.A. is not interested in improving the lives of the Palestinian hoi polloi; they are interested solely and exclusively in promoting their self-interest. And the proof, sir, is best found in those sordid and miserable refugee camps to which the Palestinians have been consigned by their fellow Arabs for over sixty years. Several hundred billion dollars and several hundred billion euros could buy a lot of small starter homes for families in refugee camps, don't you think? So why are there still refugee camps. There are seven universities in the West Bank, all of them built by Israel; all of them built after 1967. Israel brought electricity to the majority of the West Bank, brought indoor plumbing to the majority of the West Bank and built hospitals in the West Bank. The Jordanians did not do a thing between 1948 and 1967, despite aid earmarked for use in the West Bank. The same thing happened once money was made directly available to the P.A. Some things never change. Take the scales from your eyes, Mr. Wilson. Better still, please tell me why the Palestinian standard of living in the West Bank has been in such sharp decline since the P.A. took over. Tell me why the standard of living in Gaza is so desperate since Israel pulled out of Gaza. Why has Hamas not done anything to improve the infrastructure and services in Gaza? The P.A. has been around for 20-odd years now. With nothing to show by way of improvement. Contrast that with the remarkable advances made by Israel between 1948 and 1968, DESPITE fighting wars; despite struggling to reclaim desert; despite absorbing over one million penniless refugees; despite living through the "tzena." You think Israel did not have to house refugees in tent cities and shacks? They did. But they did not leave them there to rot, did they? That's the difference between Jews and Palestinians, Mr. Wilson. it is also why there will NEVER be a Palestinian state -- they cannot govern themselves, and they have proven this time and time again. Any more questions?
18. Sarah #17
Brod ,   USA   (02.20.09)
Excellent point. However, Habash was NOT a Christian. He was a Papist. Papism invented AntiSemitism. They are Pagan.
19. Good morning Rami!
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.20.09)
Actually, I've been up for four hours already. Do you know that it is not an "occupation?" Israel controls the territory fully legally, and it is theirs to do which whatever it pleases. See Hague Second (1899) and Third (1907) Conventions on war and territorial acquisition. Did you know that Palestinians on the West Bank pay taxes to the Palestine Authority, and not to Israel? Although they do get the benefit of Kupat Holim and Tipat Halav? I wrote a TB just before this one (addressed to Mr. Wilson's comment) which answers quite a few of your points so I won't rehash its contents here .... YNET, please post my TB directed to Mark Wilson! Rav todot.
20. To: Rami at No. 16
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.20.09)
Please document your sources, sir.
21. To sara
Rami Abu Ghalyion ,   Tulkarem-palestine   (02.20.09)
Let me Correct Sarah,I Am Palestinian and living over there so i know wts going on around me All services provided by Israel its only for Israelis who have Israeli identity cards Kupat Holim service and other services are only a prelude to the Israelis, not Palestinians Israelis who pay the tax which its known by(Arnouna) chick ur facts
22. to rami: here's an example why economy & health is linked
catherina israel   (02.20.09)
with arab resistance against jews and israel. http://london.mfa.gov.il/mfm/Data/32915.doc it all comes down to security. i would gladly give you israel citizen rights if you people were willing to become productive citizens of israel, who work alongside jews for the greater good of all. if you learned hebrew at school as your first language to be able to work in israel in high paying jobs and study in israeli universities not through corrective discrimination plans, jews would grant you rights, if you were to contribute to israel. but all you people want to do is to destroy israel. any pro-arab americans you might find are all interested in one thing one way or another: the destruction of israel. you quoted figures by richard h. curtiss a well know pro-arab & not just a gov worker, so i doubt if they were true. but even if the figures were true, none of these pro-arab americans would agree having cities in america who teach only in arabic, where not even one school teaches in english, where people do not want to merge into the society, but still have rights. This incredible phenomenon happens only in Israel. in israel we have cities where people get benefits from israel, but they are against the existance of the country, they teach the hate to israel in their schools, and hebrew is a secondary language taught so that they could apply to israeli university, many on a scholarship (because of many kids in the family), not that they understand the professors too well. while studying they create anti-israeli forums (we all remember arab students rallied during the war in israeli universities)when they get out they still hate israel, and their hebrew is still lame comparing to their jewish peers. You chose not to live within the green line, you don’t pay taxes, however, arabs who do live in Israel green line borders, still call themselves palestinians. I would expect them to move out of Israel and live in tulkarem where you live, but they never will. they shall keep living in Israel, hate it, not study Hebrew at school, and hope one day Israel shall cease to exist.
23. #15 rami that is simply not true
catherina israel   (02.20.09)
not only the government, but also the jewish owners of properties in gaza strip, left their houses and greenhouse businesses in tact, for arabs to occupy in gaza. these jews who were forced to leave their houses in 23 settlements in gaza strip, still can not find housing in israel.
24. To: Rami at No. 21
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.20.09)
I live in Israel six months out of the year. I know what is going on there, too. Kupat Holim and Tipat Halav are available to all Israelis -- Jews, Moslems, Samaritans, Christians, Druze. Kupat Holim and Tipat Halav are available in Judea and Samaria to ALL comers. Not just Jews. It is wrong and incendiary for you to suggest otherwise. Arnona tax is a property tax. I know that there are claims that the tax disproportionately affects Arab residents of East Jerusalem, but that simply Is not true. As you (should) kinow, there are quite a few Jews living in East Jerusalem, too. Kindly do not imply that the arnona tax is paid only by Palestinian Arabs. All Israelis pay property taxes. By the way, I am still waiting for you to substantiate and distinguish the ridiculous numbers that you posted at No. 16.
25. Rami-Tell Pals to stop killing Israelis and all will be OK
Alan ,   SA   (02.20.09)
26. Sarah: i did !! ask ynet Publish the Source!!
Rami Abu Ghalyion ,   Tulkarm-Palestine   (02.20.09)
27. They don't want a country
Steve from Raleigh   (02.20.09)
They want a Mafia to maintain power in someone else's country.
28. Sarah....
Everyone ,   The World   (02.21.09)
You obviously have an agenda: Jews only from the Sea to the Jordan River. You use rambling sentences and faulty info to try and sound objective and overhelm your opponent. You are clearly anti Arab and anti peace. Everyone can see/read it in your posts. You are not fooling anyone. Your posts are spreading false information and Zionist propoganda. Please spare us.
29. New York Sarah
Eric Davis ,   Denver, CO   (02.21.09)
You have WAY too much time on your hands. i think you need a man in your life. And if you have one, he ain't doin his job. Seems like you need a "release" from all your anger and frustration against the Pals.
30. To: "Everyone" at No. 28
Sarah ,   New York City, USA   (02.21.09)
"You obviously have an agenda: Jews only from the Sea to the Jordan River." It is, after all, our land. Why don't you read up on history? And what is so unusual about wanting a Jewish state to be Jewish? Why should Israel tolerate a large and unruly fifth column within its borders? "You use rambling sentences and faulty info to try and sound objective and overhelm your opponent." Oh, how cruel! I don't ramble. My sentences may be long, but they are succinct. Unless you lack the intellectual capacity to interpret them, of course. I do not necessarily seek objectivity, either. I try to present the truth. Which is not always objective. And I do not see any contributors as an "opponent," and I do not quite understand why you would. People have different views and opinions. That does not make them "opponents." This is not a hockey game. "You are clearly anti Arab and anti peace. Everyone can see/read it in your posts. You are not fooling anyone." I am anti-Hamas, anti-Islamic Jihad, anti-Fatah, anti-PFLP, and anti-Hizbollah. That would make me anti-terror. If being anti-terror and being anti-Arab are the same thing in your pea brain, then you need to go back to school. "Your posts are spreading false information and Zionist propoganda." Point to one false statement I have made. I am a Zionist. That is not a dirty word -- Zionism is the movement which supports a national homeland for the Jewish people in their ancient and traditional homeland. Did you believe the United Nations when they passed a resolution equating Zionism with racism? Poor, poor, you. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you, dear? "Please spare us." Calling yourself "everyone" does not mean you speak for everyone, now, does it, dear? You might want to consider stepping back from your grandiosity a bit. You lack the intellect to pull it off, which makes you sound -- well -- stupid. There is, of course, the possibility that you do not realize just how stupid you sound -- or the possibility that you don't mind. Pick one; I don't really care, and you don't matter.
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