American money to remove Hebrew from road signs, etc.

Submitted by Vazir-Mukhtar (United States), Dec 13, 2009 at 14:11

Perhaps those responsible for providing the funds to help furnish road signs in Arabic and English alone think this is an example of even-handedness in US Middle East policy.

If it were possible, I would very much like to see the Palestinians (yes, I know they are not a homogenous group) step back from the desire for their own state and most thoughtfully consider what, if any, advantages would accrue to them if they were to give up the hope and desire to have their own state and instead become Israeli citizens.

Would the current Israeli blockade be removed? Would those now in Gaza and on the West Bank gain civil rights as Israeli citizens that they do not now have? Would their acceptance of Israeli citizenship give them the right to vote in Israeli elections? If so, would they not have the opportunity to influence Israeli politics and policies with regard to Palestinian welfare? Would they not be able to influence the building of Jewish settlements on land occupied by Israel since one of the wars? In a word, could it be possible that Palestinians would be better off as Israeli citizens than as citizens of their own under-developed, impoverished state? (Parenthetically, since the 1948 establishment of Israel just how much and what sort of help have the Palestinians had from Arab states?)

What is in the long-term interest of Palestinian infants and children? To grow up in a blockaded area, to see land that belonged to their forefathers occupied by those whom they despise, to be under the constant threat of war -- either of their own making or the making of others?

Can't one preserve one's integrity as a Palestinian and a Muslim living in a state where there are people who are neither Palestinian nor Muslim? Can't those living now in Israel not live as observant or non-observant Jews alongside others, even lots of others? Must Israelis and Palestinians live as members of tribal societies where vendettas go on for generations?

Perhaps there will be no utopian solution to the issues that divide the Israelis and Palestinians. But must there be a dystopian situation that affects not only them but the rest of the world as well?

Talk about egotism or chutzbah, if you wish. How much longer must the rest of the world put up with the arrogance and victimhood displayed by both sides?

I know: each side is going for a new record. Europe had only a 100-years war and the Palestinians and Israelis want to get into the Guinness Book of Records for having one that lasts longer.

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