Clarifying the Palestinian Predicament

This blog entry was initiated by an email I sent to my aunt who is seeking clarification of the Palestinian situation. It seems the news papers and TV news are not relaying a very realistic picture of what is going on there.

As a concerned Israeli neighbour of the Palestinians, I will try to answer two key questions as clearly as I can. I have added suggestions for 'extra-reading' if you are really interested, but be warned, there is so much material, it can be overwhelming.

Question One.

Why do the Palestinians have to rely on Israel?

Palestine is in two separate parts -

The West Bank is run by the Palestinian Authority, Its relatively peaceful & progressing well with regards modernisation. Due to being land-locked, the West Bank relies on Israel allowing imports and exports through Israeli ports. Israel also ensures no radical groups try ship in arms this way. Suprisingly, the West Bank's other neighbour, Jordan, would like nothing to do with them. Here is a recent news report about the Jordanian situation - http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/jordan-s-nightmare-scenario-1.47206

The Gaza strip is run by Hamas - who's covenant states 'Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it' (http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm). Hamas does not want a prosperous Palestine and terrorizes the citizens of Gaza and Israel. They are radicals who will not negotiate. The international blockade is intended to stop weapons getting to Hamas so they can continue attacking Israel.

2. Why does Egypt not open their Gaza border?

Egypt is in the same situation as Jordan and wants nothing to do with Hamas - due to its links with the Muslim Brotherhood - an Egyptian terrorist group. Here is a good article about it - http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201006166237/Media/british-media-portrayals-of-egypt-a-the-gaza-blockade.html

These answers expose a lack of unity between the Arab countries and a surprising lack for support for Hamas. This is good news for the West as it is proof that Arab countries are generally moderate and peaceful, not supporting the radical Jihad that seems to be all we hear about lately.

Hope this was more enlightening than confusing! :)