Dear ifiamnotiwhowillbe,
Thank you for your interesting question. Let's begin with some hard
data, and later with speculations. Israel gets the highest amount of
foreign aid granted by the United States to a single country. Israel
receives about $5 billion each year; about half of it as military aid
(see more about it in the American Jewish Committee site,
http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/US-Israel/U.S._Assistance_to_Israel1.html
and http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/US-Israel/foreign_aid.html).
Assuming that you meant that the funds would be used for
infrastructure, military aid would be omitted. The Palestinian
population could benefit from an improvement of the infrastructure in
the Occupied Territories. On the one hand, the level of density and
poverty in Gaza Strip and other parts of the Territories are very
high. On the other, the Palestinians are relatively educated and could
assist the development of the area, given the opportunity. An optimist
might assume that this might be at least a partial solution to the
problems of the Middle East.
However, few obstacles stand in the way. First of all, the Palestinian
Authority and leadership have proved themselves to be highly corrupted
with billions of dollars they already received from the EU and the
United States. (Read more about this:
http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1991to_now_pa_corrupt.php ;
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/summit/text/0507bchr.htm ;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2001/israel_and_the_palestinians/issues/1627755.stm).
In an answer to a clarification request, you mentioned that this aid
would be administered by an organisation. That could solve some of the
corruption, although previous attempts to block corruption that way
proved to be problematic.
You also state, that there would be no demand for any action (such as
ceasefire) of the Palestinian side. That means, basically, and knowing
the situation today, where except for the PA, you have other armed
organisations in the territory (Hamas, PIJ, etc.), that the fighting
would continue. It is assumed that an improved infrastructure brings
more prosperity, and thus - people would be less willing to fight.
Alas, this is a long term process, and when people are hungry and
suffer from the occupation on a daily basis, they future prosperity
doesn't seem to be guaranteed.
A continuation of the fighting, with the current regime composition in
Israel, would imply a harsh Israeli response on Palestinian
infrastructure, including the one you want to establish. This Israeli
policy was demonstrated in Lebanon, whereas Lebanese infrastructure
was attacked in retaliation for attacks on towns in northern Israel.
In other words: the aid funds would be buried in the infrastructure's
debris.
On the Palestinian side, in the meanwhile, infrastructure is not the
only thing that is lacking. The education system spreads hatred
against Jews. The PA has lost control in some parts of the
territories, and many other parts are occupied by Israeli forced.
My conclusion is that the termination of the occupation must come
before any real investment in Palestinian infrastructure, for the mere
reasons that these investments would not assist the Palestinians'
urgent needs.
Naturally, this is one opinion. The Palestinian Israeli situation is
complex, and several Researchers here might give a different answer
than I did, especially due to the speculative nature of the answer. I
actually encourage them to answer this question in comments - I am
always open to hear other views.
I hope this answered your question. Except for using my previous
knowledge (I studied Middle Eastern studies and later have lived in
both places and volunteered for the peace process), I searched the
Internet for terms on US foreign aid and corruption in the PA. If you
need any clarifications on this answer, please let me know. I'd be
pleased to clarify my answer before you rate it. |
