Sunday, February 25, 2007

Palestinians Should Barter With Supporters And Doners

The recent Palestinian " unity government" brokered by the Saudis goes a long way in stopping a civil war between Hamas and Fatah in the occupied territories. Notably the civil war was one that was hoped for and actively supported by the U.S. and Israel. Nonetheless the "unity government" does not meet the the hurdles that the U.S. and Israel have constructed. So the financial embargo led by America will stay in place and Palestinian tax revenues will continue to be embargoed by Israel.

But other European countries joined by Russia like the " unity government" plan and are willing to break with the U.S. and send financial aid to the beleagured Palestinians. But they don't want to run the finacial-blockade set up by America's de facto control of the worldwide financial system. America could retaliate with severe penalties and shut down the electronic payments anyway.

So what should the Palestinians and the coalition of willing doners do? How about having a bartered relationship with the donors? For example, the Palestinians could petition interested countries for manufacturing infrastructure and raw materials for products that the donors want and in turn the donors would provide the necessities of life to the Palestinians.

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