Comparing U.S. and Arab League Aid for the Palestinians
While the PA’s brethren in the Arab League refuse to provide aid, the United States has no such problem. The Congressional Research Service (pdf) reports:
“Since the death of Yasser Arafat in November 2004, U.S. assistance to the Palestinians has been averaging close to $400 million a year, with funding levels spiking to more than double the average for FY2009 to address (1) humanitarian needs in Gaza during and after the December 2008-January 2009 Israel-Hamas Gaza conflict; and (2) reform, security, and development priorities in the West Bank.”
After providing a minimum of $2.4 billion in aid since 2005, is the United States any more appreciated in Gaza and the West Bank? Are we any more influential? Have the Palestinians made any tangible concessions for peace? Have they even agreed to sit down and talk about it? Are they any less belligerent? Have they stopped targeting Israeli civilian population centers with rockets and mortars? Have they stopped virulently anti-Semitic curricula in their schools? Have they stopped using the aid to purchase weaponry? Have they stopped abusing their own people? Have they reduced the corruption that is rampant within Hamas and serious within the PA …