We’re not talking about Keyword Queen Paris Hilton. Here are assorted observations on the donor conference that netted the PA a few billion dollars in foreign aid:
• LA Times
Although the international community has pledged almost $9 billion to support the Palestinians since 1993 through similar pledge-fests, less than half the amount of money promised actually materialized, according to a Palestinian source who asked not to be named. The delinquents include members of the Arab League as well as Japan and Italy, the source said.
• The NY Times adds even more damningly:
Many countries do not fulfill pledges that they make at such conferences. Egypt and other Arab countries are known for pledging funds to the Palestinian Authority that they do not deliver.
• The Independent questions the effectiveness of any plan that doesn’t include Gaza:
“What is the point of institution-building if there is no Palestinian unity?” said a European diplomat. “It’s not Northern Ireland, whatever Tony Blair says. Building a Palestinian state without Gaza would be a colossal waste of money.”
• Khaled Abu Toameh of the Jerusalem Post weighs in:
The only way to undermine Hamas is not by channeling billions of dollars to the PA leadership, but by offering the Palestinians a better alternative to the Islamist movement. In order for Fatah to regain the confidence of the Palestinian public, it needs to reform itself and pave the way for new faces.
