Dough to blow?
Another summit in Sharm El Sheikh… and although the focus was reconstructing Gaza, Hamas was not invited. Those present included the United States, Japan, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Staying true, they talked a lot and made many promises. Egypt’s Foreign Minister tried hard to inflate the $4.48 billion in pledges reported in the media. The whole charade was declared a success, with most news outlets dutifully reminding their audiences that the Palestinian Authority – which has no real authority in Gaza – had been seeking less than $3 billion. Everyone patted themselves on the back for a job well done…
Of course, things could have been better. In October, Western donors pledged $4.55 billion to rebuild Georgia after its war with Russia. Back then, the US coughed up $1 billion dollars. This time around they weren’t as generous (and there is already dissent). Out of the $900 million pledged by the US, only $300 million will be invested in Gaza; the rest will help support the worthless PA. Similar stipulations apply to the EU pledges. Looking on the bright side, Arab states also threw in their support!! Saudi Arabia made the biggest pledge of $1 billion. Even Lebanon pledged $1 million it doesn’t have.
At least 40% of the total funds ($5.2 billion) will be earmarked for ‘administrative’ purposes. A significant sum will go to the PA, and the rest will be invested in a number of projects overseen by the respective donor state(s). While little to no cash is being directed at any Palestinians, the amount pledged could potentially go a long way.
But talk is cheap. The key word here is pledge. No matter how much is promised, it makes no difference when Israel keeps things on lock down. It makes no difference so long as Hamas does not have a place at the negotiating table. Even if meaningful reconstruction projects do get underway, there is nothing to stop things from falling apart all over again.
There are more significant measures that should have been taken if those attending the Sharm El Sheikh summit really wanted to help the people of Gaza. They could have agreed to exert the political pressure necessary to force Israeli authorities to end the siege. They could have agreed to work together to restore a sense of purpose to the stalled Arab-Israeli peace process, and they could have ‘pledged’ to find a way to include Hamas in future negotiations.
Sadly for the people of Gaza, it’s easier for the most powerful nations on earth to make empty promises than it is for them to actually help. The bombs have stopped raining for the time being, but the inhumane blockade continues. It could be years before the pledging nations are actually forced to make good on their promises… many will probably never pay up.
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to expand its web of occupation in the West Bank – it has plans for no less than 73,00 new settlements. The situation looks as hopeless as ever. Washington has always been the one with the most cards to play, but as the top ranking US diplomat made clear in Egypt, nothing has changed on this end.
You are right, these are empty promises only. Why Gaza now? Why not force Israel fix teh damage it caused. Then most of the money if given ot Fatah will not reach the borders of Gaza. Fatah are thugs and thieves.
The money doesn't go to Fatah, its the Palestinian Authority that will be the recipient. Two thirds of the money pledged by the US, for example, will go to Mahmoud Abbas, not to Gaza. Why? I live in the West Bank, in Ramallah, the heart of the PA's influence. It does absolutely nothing for us. Years and years of acquiescence, and now Israel is planning to DOUBLE the number of settlers in the West Bank. That's what the money is for, to keep those willing to cover Israel's occupation in power.
1) Hamas and Israel were not invited ; unlike the 2007 summit where Israel was 2) Hamas had "Authority?" on Gaza ; but not legitimacy 3) Is the PA worthless a given status quo ; or a wish to be by Hamas "Fans" & Israel for intersected different reasons? 4) The elimination of the Palstinians is a core Israeli strategy since 1948 ; the political goal of the last Genocide operation to force the (three state solution : Israel , Jordan , Egypt) capitalizing on the Palstinian Vacuum (weakness & division) and the Israeli alternative if that fail a security zone on Gaza land (Wall equivalent) & sovereignty on the Egypt- Gaza border (Israel force the bordering Palstinian population to evacuate & demolish their properties while the worlds eyes looking some where else) 5) Israel lost 13 soldiers (8 in friendly fire) , the term WAR, bringing back the PA to Gaza on an Israeli tank & the "traitor-hero" simple minds taxonomy ; work as an effective Israeli propaganda to play on the Paranoia of the (Arabic/Islamic) street ; they not only made the Arabs reaction meaningless & useless, they activate the tribalism & invite side "cover" shows to play (in the middle of the Genocide Egypt was countering the Satellite channels "war" on Egypt), Hamas knows well if they hold captive to this "circus" they will end up carriers of the Syrian Regime diplomatic bags 6) Disappointing without writing of the FANS ; Hamas made it to Egypt : a) Hamas hammering on the claim that they are the only address on Gaza (although backed with the majority of the Gazans & the Arabic/ Islamic FANS ; will lead to a dead catastrophic end (It's impossible to change the world to meet Hamas conditions), the further Hamas went into this path; the more they become a dictatorship b) Hamas must seek actual UNITY & PALSTINIAN DECISION INDEPENDENT either by rejecting the on table proposals to elevate the Palstinians gains or join & lead the Palstinian politics by accepting the world conditions (by verbal & double messaging : politics as usual) : recognize Israel, denounce violence & honer past agreements (All Palstine is the HOMELAND of the Palstinians; but in politics every palstinian gain is an Israeli loss & every Israeli loss is an activation of the Israeli divisions , i.e. Israel is a status, counter it by another one) c)The USA "War on Terror" agenda to Manage the US interests is moving back to Afghanistan to counter the rapid growing economies of China, Russia & India & is seeking cooperation with Iran to secure it's War gains in the region; that leave Israel with less interest (Although still strong); but the most important the last Israeli War Crimes left Israel high & dry in the world eyes (the UN is more active in exposing Israel criminality than Hamas, PA, the Arabs & the Muslims combined ?!
Mohammad, if that is true about Fatah, and I personaly know it is, why the Palestinians in the West Bank do not over thrown Mahmoud Abbas and his aid, are they more difficult to beat than Israel during the 2 Intifadas.
Riskability, I like your anaylsis, unfortunately the only victims here are Palestinian and Israeli citiziens
The Palestinians need to scrap the PA, and force Israel to take responsibility as the occupying power. Then the Palestinians need to turn the struggle into a one man one vote struggle akin to South Africa's struggle against Apartheid. Only then will the Israeli's wake up and finally come to the negotiating table.
oh my rose in med way between intelligence & madness which way to lean