US Lifts Embargo on West Bank

With the division of the Palestinian territories more or less complete, the US has decided that the time has come to boost the fortunes of President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah-led emergency government, which controls the West Bank. On Monday, the Bush administration said it has lifted its financial and diplomatic freeze on Mr. Abbas. The EU stated it would “resume normal relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately.” Meanwhile, Hamastan a/k/a the Gaza Strip remains besieged. Wise men might consider the law of unintended consequences sooner rather than later.

The American and European plan is to offer the Palestinian in the street a clear demonstration of what it means to be moderate and cooperative (backing Mr. Abbas) and what it costs to be difficult and willful (backing Hamas). Money and other forms of help will go to the West Bank, and life will improve. In Hamastan, things will get worse as the noose tightens. An intelligent person will see the benefits from cooperation, and choose peace with Israel and peaceful co-existence.

That’s all very logical, but it ignores a fundamental political fact. Hamas won the last Palestinian election because, in part, the voters were sick to death of the corruption and ineptitude of Fatah. Now, the US and its allies are talking peace and support for the faction that lost the last election. To the intelligent Palestinian in the street, the picture is clear. Fatah is collaborating with the enemy; the Americans only believe in democracy when their man wins, and Hamas is the only real resistance option.

If this analysis is correct, Hamastan will grow more radical as the screws are put to it. Support will come to those in Gaza from places like Iran, Syria and other regimes who see a benefit to rejectionist policies. It won’t be much in the way of money and job opportunities, but weapons are easier to smuggle than computer parts factories. At the same time, Mr. Abbas has to deliver both to the people on the West Bank and to the American-led West. If he falters, others in Fatah may split with him, and the whole organization could collapse, leaving Hamas as the only voice in either of the two Palestinian areas.

Supposing Mr. Abbas does pull it off, improving the lives of those on the West Bank as well as making peace with the Israelis, what of Gaza? He will appear, to Gazans, as the man who sold them out for some American money, for a soft life for those on the West Bank. Being America’s friend in some parts of the world is a good way to lose support from one’s own people. Palestine appears to be such a place, and any support for Mr. Abbas from Washington could eventually undermine him.

© Copyright 2007 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Home