To the editor:
Violence, chaos, and anarchy once again reign in Palestine. This should not come as a surprise. Rival terrorist factions Hamas and Fatah have taken over what purports to be governance of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Neither group really governs; they intimidate, corrupt, and get their way with fear and violence. The elected head of the Palestinian Authority, – what passes as a government — a Fatah leader, appointed a Hamas leader second in command and guaranteed what has occurred, infighting, chaos, and gridlock. Of course, had he not done so, Hamas would have instigated a coup or a revolution. The late Yasser Arafat taught the philosophy of confrontation, disruption, and non-negotiation; his legacy lives on today in many Palestinian circles.
Since 1948, the Palestinians have lived in turmoil. They have fought the Israelis several times and lost dismally each time; they have sought to weaken Israel through suicide bombings and car bombs and have only strengthened Israel’s resolve. In almost sixty years, the Palestinians have received little economical, political, trade, or any other type of support except an inflow of weapons from their several Arab and Muslim neighbors. Only Jordan has accepted numerous Palestinian refugees; others languish in Palestine. The fact that only one of many neighbor chose to help these people tells us something; their own kind do not trust them!
In almost 60 years, the Palestinians have made victimization their sole prime occupation. They have not, as Israel did so successfully, turn an arid land into lush agricultural land, build highly successful schools, and form a true democracy. No, the Palestinians decided to wage war on their neighbor and turn the world against them.
The U.S. should stay clear of this mess; we ought to avoid the civil wars in Palestine; we possibly can be useful in working with sides after their warring is over if we do not meddle in the process. Have we not learned anything in Vietnam, Lebanon, and Iraq?
Ken Petress
Presque Isle
