Dear David,

Let’s leave out the issue of Israel for the moment.

The Arab League cynically see accruing benefits, not the least browny points from the Palestinians, however ...

As universally recognised, despite the posturing and table thumping, the Arab League have no interest in the Palestinians, other than exploiting their cause as propoganda.

Whilst the US fullfil its promises of aid to Palestinians, Arab States have consistently reneged on their promises of funding to them.

The current situation of Palestinians in Arab States. In truth, Palestinians are regarded as a ‘blot on the landscape’ and treated appallingly.

The example of Egypt: Palestinians are confined to camps. Despite generations born on Egyptian soil, they do not have citizenship, they do not have equitable medical care, their permitted level of education is woeful. For Palestinians, being a taxi-driver or selling second-hand clothes on the streets is a plumb career. Whilst Egypt offers lucrative inducements and high wages to foreign workers, Egypt will not employ Palestinians in these same positions. In Lebanon the situation for Palestinains is worse. Such inequality against Palestinians is repeated throughout the Arab world.

What will be the status of Palestinians in Arab States?

With the recognition of a Palestinian state, what will be the status of those in Arab territories? Could it be they will be expected to leave, their situation made untenable to stay, or more directly expelled?

A Palestinian state does not have the infrastructure to accommodate new arrivals, effectively ‘new peoples’. Abbas' own position is currently unconstitutional and the Palestinian Authority is a corrupt and dysfunctional organization.

After the euphoria of the coming down of the Berlin wall, resentment set in as West Germans believed their jobs were being taken by East Germans and the economy dropping. This could well be the scenario in Palestine.

Furthermore, the Hamas/PA split is dangerous for any Palestinian state. Hamas and Fatah are armed, terrorist groups; Hamas rules Gaza and has increasing power on the West Bank. Hamas and Fatah will fatten on discord and resentment in these territories.

cont ...

Until the above issues are addressed and resolved, a Palestinian state could well be a poisoned challice for the Palestinian people.

The risk of a new, and more vicious Palestinian Civil War cannot be ruled out.

# John Ryan,evan jones, rexw, Rhys Stanley

You all appear to be in a state of complete denial- blaming the Jews for the failings of the Arabs for the last 63 years.

Perhaps you need to address and honestly answer the following questions to bring you back to reality:

1. Isn't it ironic that the UN should be approached in 2011 to recognize a Palestinian Arab State in an area of land LESS than was offered by the UN Partition Plan in 1947 and vehemently rejected then by the Arabs?

2. Why was the area of Palestine - whose recognition is now sought from the UN in 2011 - not declared a Palestinian Arab State at any time between 1948-1964 when not one Jew lived there after they had all been driven out by the combined forces of six invading Arab armies?

3. Why did the PLO - following its formation in 1964 and until 1967 - not create a Palestinian Arab State in precisely the same area it now seeks recognition for in 2011 - whilst still not one Jew lived there?

4. Has the death pain and suffering on both sides been worth the rejection by the PLO of the offers made by Israel in 2001 and 2008 ceding its claim in more than 90% of the area which the PLO now demands be recognized in 2011?

Its all the Jews' fault according to your posts.

What about some of you at least attempting to answer these four questions?

Maybe we can then have a constructive discussion.

#Danielle

The treatment of the Palestinian Arabs by their brethren - supported by the UN with the establishment of UNWRA - has been one of the most disgraceful abuses of international humanitarian law in history.

No other group of people has been singled out for such inhumane treatment by the UN.

The Palestinian Arab refugees and their descendants should be treated as equally as all other refugees throughout the world by closing down UNWRA and bringing them under the umbrella of the UNHCR.

David Singer,

Hamas,schmamas.

I don't doubt that, generally,the Palestinians have been very poorly represented by by their political elite, and treated badly by their fellow Arabs, however that doesn't make one atom of difference to the human rights situation in the occupied territories-the PLO and Hamas are not the Palestinian people. Why is the UN invoked, Israel has, usually and with impunity, given the finger to the UN when it chose.

The Palestinians have long been pawns in others' power games, the UK and France had effectively sold the Palestinians out to the Zionists before WW2, refer the relevant chapters in "The Arabs" by Eugene Rogan.

Why shouldn't the Palestinians have rejected the original UN Plan, should they have accepted the Zionist invasion as a fait accompli and submitted quietly(and disappeared) What collective moral failing on the part of the Palestinians does that initial rejection demonstrate-- shouldn't the inhabitants of a region resist the invader?

Why do you bother to make the case for Israel? We all know that Israel is assured of US military and economic support, no matter how atrociously it behaves and unlike Apartheid South Africa, it appears impervious to widespread moral opprobrium.

I certainly don't blame the Jews for the tragedy, the real culprits were the mandarins of the UK and French Foreign Offices.

mac,

Yes, colonial powers divided up the Middle East according to their interests. Yet ... strangely ... not one of these ‘artificial’ Arab states are rushing to dismantle themselves.

I'm sure you mean well but go to the primary sources. The area which Israel occupies, and beyond, was a God-forsaken wasteland, with few locals on the ground.

I refer you to:

Saturday 23, July 2011
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=12313&page=7
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=12313&page=8

Why do Palestinians look with such envious eyes at Israel? Do you think it might be because of the success Israelis have made of that God-forsaken wasteland.