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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
August 2, 2004
/ 15 Menachem-Av, 5764
The coming ‘Palestinian’ civil war?
By
Ike Seamans
After decades of struggle, the displaced Arabs of Gaza and the West Bank finally got their 'Palestinian self-rule'. Now there are regrets
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
RAMALLAH — Now that Israel has almost beaten them into submission, Palestinians seem intent on destroying each other. Internal chaos is spreading.
In this teeming West Bank city where government leaders arrogantly flaunt their privileged status, anger is palpable everywhere. Average folks here barely make ends meet while President Yasser Arafat's cronies tool around in fancy cars, living in exquisite villas paid for, Palestinian critics charge, by graft and corruption.
The outrage and frustration is worse in Deisha near Bethlehem, a squalid refugee camp for a half-century. A humongous slum, it's a notorious haven for terrorists of every ilk, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Marxist-Leninist group that displays pictures of Che Guevara proclaiming, ''I'm a Palestinian.'' In filthy, narrow streets, surly unemployed young men glare menacingly at me and at nearby villages where politicians and bureaucrats live in luxury.
In Gaza, mobocracy reigns. Abject poverty is rampant. Last month in Khan Yunis, a rancid ghetto, the police chief warned of looming anarchy while Al Aqsa Brigades demanded free local elections (Arafat stopped the voting when his handpicked candidates were losing) and the ouster of high-ranking officials, ''thieves of public money'' who steal "national funds, property and land.''
A Palestinian journalist told me, ''I'm not justifying the occupation, but in many ways, it was better. If I had a complaint, the Israelis would resolve it. Now, our security forces — 50,000 of 150,000 government employees — break into homes; extort money; rape wives and daughters. A revolution has been brewing for some time. If [now-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon had not stormed onto Temple Mount (which ignited the current conflict in September 2000), there'd be a Palestinian-Palestinian intifada, not one with Israel.''
Everyone I've spoken with intensely detests three things: Israel, the United States and Arafat's ''Tunis Mafia,'' henchmen he brought here from Tunisian exile in 1993 (with Israel's acquiescence). They promptly seized the most important — and lucrative — positions in the newly minted Palestinian Authority, giving short shrift to citizens' needs.
''As long as the elite considers him a key factor for their future, Arafat will be there,'' predicts Israel Altman, director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti oversees 79 health clinics in the West Bank. For years, he has defied the iron-fisted regime, creating the National Initiative, a coalition for democratic change to end ''prolonged suffering on both sides.'' It's ignored.
''I'm very critical of all government policy,'' Barghouti said in his Ramallah clinic. ''Criticism is growing, approval of ministers suspected of corruption is very low. A new government is needed.'' However, he believes, just like most Palestinians, that dumping Arafat isn't an option.
Hatem Abdel Khader, Palestinian Legislative Council (Parliament) member, is widely respected, considered honest and sincere. ''We lack democracy and have an unhealthy system causing grave problems,'' he admits. "But our national integrity doesn't permit us to remove Arafat. Deep inside our soul, he's the symbol of our cause. After the symbol comes reform; after Arafat, there will be no more symbols.''
Having interviewed Arafat several times, I thought I might be able to speak with him. Scrutinized carefully by fierce terrorists on Israel's ''most wanted'' list who are holed up in the Mukatah, Arafat's Ramallah compound, I was escorted to his office, which is blockaded by sandbags and armed guards. Close, but no cigar.
''He's sleeping,'' his aide said apologetically. ''Maybe later.''
Right. Arafat has avoided journalists for months.
Someday, Arafat will answer for his transgressions, of which the most grievous may be: How can such callous policies be justified when they are ripping his people apart? It's a crisis that could easily lead to civil war.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and in Washington consider must-reading.
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JWR contributor Ike Seamans, a columnist for the Mimi Herald, is senior correspondent for NBC 6/WTVJ News in Miami and a a former NBC News Middle East correspondent and bureau chief. He Comment by clicking here.
© 2004, Ike Seamans
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