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PALESTINIAN DEVELOPMENT?

Reader comment on item: Will Prosperity End Palestinian Enmity to Israel?

Submitted by Fred K (United States), Dec 30, 2005 at 13:11

Wolfensohn is betting that the Middle East conflict needs not only a political settlement but also an economic one. Prosperity, he believes, will blunt the appeal of extremism and give Palestinians a stake in building a new state after years of nearly continuous violence.

Having spent 30+ years living and working in the third world countries, I believe that if indeed the above reflects Wolfensohn's thinking, it shows just how far out of touch with reality he really is.
What's next, billions of World Bank and IMF money to build better housing in Palestinian areas?

Has Mr. Wolfensohn forgotten that some of the world's worst terrorist, including the 9/11 hi-jackers come from affluent families? Has he forgotten that it was the Palestinian leadership that requested that as part of the Gaza pullout, the Israels would destroy the housing left behind by Israels leaving the area.

What has astounded me over the years is how each new World Bank President seems to be suddenly struck with divine inspiration when they assume that post, on how to solve the world's problems. The sad part is that most of these ideas have been tried before and were unsucessful, or run counter to the regions culture or religious beliefs.

It seems to me that it would be a better Idea to interview responsible local and expatriate businessmen who have lived and done business in these countries for many years to see what programs they think will best serve the local population and help the countries development. Dreaming up programs in Washington or funding programs to please corrupt and despotic local leaders hasn't worked in the last 40 years and it's doubtful if continued, will work in the future.
Submitting....

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Reader comments (21) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Keep them on gruel [115 words]jennifer solisApr 22, 2008 01:16126446
Gruel is too good for them. [162 words]Joe KaffirApr 23, 2008 21:28126446
Either ways making the west submit to Islam. [319 words]YnnatchkahApr 20, 2008 21:44126305
New Home-Buying Plan ? [148 words]YnnatchkahApr 20, 2008 16:20126279
"palestinians" are not a nation, therefore... [169 words]koah1Mar 3, 2006 16:1038798
there is an answer [161 words]patemFeb 19, 2006 14:5036357
Hamas is that Jihadi in the window? World Bank = walking bombs [106 words]Ben van de PolderJan 17, 2006 21:1031874
Answer to title of article: NO [176 words]PDMJan 16, 2006 20:3631765
bad behavior [49 words]AdamJan 2, 2006 00:0230921
FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL [135 words]joncohenJan 1, 2006 12:4930889
Have food sent in! [73 words]PigfootJan 6, 2006 12:2930889
Prosperity and Democracy. [320 words]Robert LynnDec 31, 2005 21:0630857
NEVER [22 words]rachel ettelmanDec 31, 2005 11:5330843
Will Palestinian Prosperity End the Arab-Israeli Conflict? [77 words]JeffDec 30, 2005 14:3930802
all of the land was barren [89 words]yuval brandstetterDec 30, 2005 16:0830802
The business of corruption and terrorism [143 words]PigfootJan 5, 2006 17:1330802
PALESTINIAN DEVELOPMENT? [281 words]Fred KDec 30, 2005 13:1130797
Freedom and Gold [150 words]Mourad AntoineDec 31, 2005 17:3530797
Mindset Trumps Economics [331 words]ddsDec 30, 2005 12:3730794
And we know [15 words]R.MitelmanDec 28, 2005 14:5130704
Further to R.Mitelman [29 words]ddsDec 30, 2005 12:3930704

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