Soccer Dad

Unifying headlines

March 18, 2007
Palestinian Legislators Approve Unity Cabinet
Hamas, Fatah Diverge in Policy Remarks

March 19, 2007
Israel Rebuffs Palestinian Unity Government

Why wasn't this emphasized in the first headline?

The power-sharing arrangement has, at least temporarily, ended the factional fighting that has killed about 130 Palestinians over the past year. But the new government's platform falls short of international demands that it recognize Israel and renounce violence in return for a resumption of economic aid.

Something like Palestinians rebuff International demands to moderate their position.

And of course instead of actually reporting this, the second account tells us

Most international donors cut off economic assistance after Palestinian voters chose Hamas to run the Palestinian Authority in January 2006 parliamentary elections. Unemployment and poverty have increased in the territories since then, and about 130 Palestinians have been killed over the past year in a violent power struggle between Hamas and the rival Fatah movement.

The poverty hasn't been the result of a cutoff in aid as aid, perhaps unofficially, actually continued. There's another reason for the poverty and that would be malfeasance.

Even the new PA finance minister acknowledges

“A key priority is to try to put the finances of the PA on a more sustainable path . . . to reduce our need for external assistance,” he told The Times during the new Government’s swearing-in ceremony in Ramallah.

(via memeorandum) He has also acknowledged the corruption of (yes) the Hamas government.

It's simple laziness that keeps Scott Wilson from acknowledging that the PA has, itself, been a big source of the financial problems facing the Palestinians. Sure it's much easier to blame the world and Israel.

Blogdigger tags: Israel, Palestinian Authority, Foreign Aid, Hamas, Salam Fayyad.

Posted by SoccerDad at March 20, 2007 6:44 AM