Opinion: A simple question: Who loves the Palestinians?
Many words have been spoken about the Palestinians — about their safety, needs, human rights and national aspirations, but are these words sources of light or obfuscations of reality? It might be helpful to ask this simple question: Who loves the Palestinians?
Not Hamas: Hamas is a terrorist organization that ruthlessly dominates Gaza. It intimidates and murders local opposition, and it diverts much needed humanitarian resources to terrorism. Hamas launches attacks against Israel that have no chance of actually “freeing Palestine from the river to the sea” but are guaranteed to provoke Israeli counter attacks. Hamas then hides behind Palestinian civilians, hoping for dead bodies to use as political fodder.
Not the Palestinian Authority (aka the PLO): The corruption of the PLO is legendary — enriching the fortunes of leaders while depriving the people humanitarian resources, civil liberties or safety. It allows terrorist gangs free reign in its territory — groups that attack Israelis and oppress Palestinians.
Not Iran: Though the Islamic Republic sends lots of money to Gaza, it is to Hamas. Rather than helping the Palestinian people, Iran props up abusive and malevolent actors who violate Palestinian human rights and prevent any kind of progress or prosperity.
Not Egypt: Notice how Egypt is not letting Palestinian refugees leave Gaza. Then remember how this blockade has been in effect for years! Egypt owned Gaza from 1948-1967 but never allowed the Palestinians to enter and be absorbed into society. Ironically, a vast number of “Palestinians” came from Egypt as immigrants (colonists!) to Israel in the 1930s — a prime example being PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
Not Jordan: Though set aside in 1922 as the original Palestinian State, Jordan’s rulers have never been accepting of Palestinians. From 1948-1967, they sequestered Arab refugees in squalid internment camps in the West Bank. When some were allowed to enter after 1967, a bloody civil war erupted. Jordan does not love the Palestinians nor want more in Jordan.
Not Lebanon: The motherland of modern Arab culture is caught between two factions — neither of which loves the Palestinians. The Hezbollah camp treats them as pawns in their terror campaigns while traditional Lebanese society has been brutalized for decades by Palestinian terrorists. This former pearl of Arab culture and commerce has been reduced to a dysfunctional tragedy.
Not Saudi Arabia: Since 1948, Saudi Arabia has given enormous financial support to Palestinian terrorists while doling out pitiful sums for humanitarian assistance. It has also refused to welcome Palestinians into their society —allowing only limited numbers willing to endure abusive domestic servitude.
Not the United Nations: While presumably focusing on relief and human rights, the UN ignores the corruption and criminality of Hamas and other terrorists. UN personnel ignore terrorist activities and diversion of humanitarian funds. They fund hate-filled textbooks that prevent peace and progress — and the Two-State Solution. The UN is an enabler of the terror state that reigns in Gaza and is actively involved in making sure that Israel never has “a partner for peace.”
Not human rights groups: In traditional Arab society, most women are not free to pursue education, employment, sexual empowerment, or even personal fashion choices. Gays and lesbians are hounded, imprisoned, raped and even murdered. In both Gaza and the Palestinian Authority, freedom of speech and assembly are absent, as is real voting. Any dissent is met with violent repercussions. When human rights groups insist on “indigenous autonomy,” they do not secure human rights. Rather they consign Palestinian civilians to tyranny and oppression.
Ironically, the best chance for the Palestinians lies with Israel. The Arab citizens of Israel have more freedom, more prosperity and more human rights than almost anyone in the Arab world. The continuing violence creates suspicion and hate for all Arabs. It sabotages their full participation in Israeli society. It torpedoes any hope for a Palestinian State — or a unified state where Jews will be safe. By allowing and encouraging terrorism, the supposed “friends of the Palestinian people” doom them. Their words of concern are hollow, and there is little real love.
As we pray for peace, let us pray for clarity, truth and wisdom.