PA Poverty

Ron Ross
BFP News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com

20th January 2007

There is obvious concern as we see more police enquiries dealing with corruption in Israel. President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert head the list.

I deal with politicians and bureaucrats every day. When compiling the News from Jerusalem (www.bridgesforpeace.com), I have to think through what they say, why they say it and the agenda behind their words. .

The thought struck me how corruption is a police issue in Israel but when was the last time was there any form of enquiry of a similar kind, next door?

Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which has turned me off that particular outfit forever. The former US Ambassador to Israel Dennis Ross admitted at a meeting of the Christian Allies Caucus, "We got it wrong with Arafat." .

My dear friend, the late Dr Yuri Stern interjected with, "And you're wrong with Abbas too!"

Now there is another issue that needs close enquiry. A World Bank Report for the period 1994 to 1998 reveals the most dollars for Palestinian assistance comes from the USA, the nation they call "The Great Satan."

The actual figures provided for welfare and support, for that period, in the millions are: USA $344.73, Japan $306.9, European Union $298.3, Germany $270.8, Norway $221.38, Saudi Arabia $133.15, The World Bank $127.57, France $52.71, Britain $39.61 and Kuwait $24.

USA is the largest supporter by far. They gave another $300 million through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.

During the decade 1994 to 2004 USA gave a staggering $1.3 billion.

The Palestinian plight has received the financial support Third World countries dream about. There is serious charge the "victim" image is the most successful industry in the territories.

There is no argument there are many people in that community who live at a lower than poverty level. But the question has to be asked. What has been done to change their circumstances?

The money flows in but how is it spent, that's the question. Where are the new schools and hospitals? How is the people who lead the poor Palestinians live in luxury and enjoy Swiss bank accounts? The answer seems to be obvious but who wants to know?

The effort to strengthen the position of the Palestinian chairman Mahmoud Abbas in recent weeks has been way beyond belief.

Egypt gave him 2000 assault rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition, USA gave him $83,000,000 to buy rifles and ammunition. The Israeli Prime Minister Olmert gave Abbas 7000 assault rifles and a million rounds of ammunition, all this to help him stand against his opposition the terrorist gang, Hamas.

But the day before Dr Condoleezza Rice visited Ramallah recently, Abbas addressed a Fatah Party rally. He said, "Do not turn your rifles on the brothers. Aim them at the Zionists!"

Now Dr Rice is planning a summit in Washington so that she and Abbas and Olmert might share another Peace Prize while the Fatah and Hamas gangs continue the fight against the Zionists - who happen to be USA and Israel. How ever said `talk is cheap'?

Now I learn with concern that some financial analysts are predicting a financial crisis for America in 2007. They say Saudi Arabia and China (among others) own a large part of US debt, a position they acquired gradually over recent decades.

If they were to demand satisfaction, US markets will be at their mercy.

In the wings, Russia is making its move, believing President Bush lacks support and militarily is in no position to extend the war with Iraq. That frailty empowers Iran who enjoys Russian benevolence or at least co-operation. The Russians have signed a $700,000,000 contract to supply military hardware to Iran. Sergai Ivanov just announced to the world, "If they want more, we will supply them."

Isn't it time we all started to demand more truth in what we are told?

Is it our right to assess reality rather than be spoon-fed the fairy tales currently being dished up?

Unfortunately until terrorism and persecution knocks on our own door many have no interest in what happens with the `other.'

I have a sense the world is shrinking and sooner rather than later we will have to answer the door.

Ron Ross resigned as Senior Pastor of Noosa Baptist Church to become National Director of Bridges for Peace Australia. Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com