Peace in the Holy Land

If the Palestinians could be given the hope of a better, more prosperous, healthier life while dwelling on this earthly realm, perhaps the zeal of the terrorists to get to paradise by killing Israelis and Westerners, might cool. Israel is in a position to help make that a reality for the Palestinians, but only if they abandon their dream of wiping Israel off the world map, and give up terrorism as an instrument of policy.

As with many Arab states, the controlling oligarchy has failed to improve the lives of their subjects. Many motives---desire to maintain control, rejection of modernity, suppression of women, corruption, greed and religious zealotry can be cited for that failure. Israel is a roaring success, politically, economically and socially. That alone is enough to feed the Arab hatred of a successful, non Muslim state in their midst. If such attitudes were changed, Israel could play a significant role in improving the lot of their Palestinian neighbors.

The economy of the Palestinian territories is based on agriculture, of a relatively primitive form. It competes with the highly advanced Israeli agriculture. However, that is not the reason for their poverty. Lack of access to the Israeli market, and ports, because of border closings for security concerns, is the main cause.

If the Arabs would accept the reality of Israel, and coexistence as the future, Israel could become the engine of a powerful revival of the Palestinian people, in a thriving state, as part of a natural regional economic entity. The Israelis would have to open their market to Palestinian agricultural products. They would need to provide technical assistance to modernize farming methods, improve roads and water supply to bring the Palestinian farmers up to Israeli standards. To compensate for the impact of food imports Israel would concentrate on the export market, where it already has a major presence.

For some period certain, perhaps twenty years, Israel would pledge to extend to the Palestinian state, any improvements it makes to its infrastructure so that the viability of that state is bolstered. In the absence of terror Israel could open its borders and its impressive medical care facilities to Palestinians. During that twenty years Israel, together with the international community, could assist in building infrastructure, clinics, hospitals, and schools in the Palestinian state, so that it will be able to offer its citizens the quality of life found in its neighbor.

The cost to Israel for the assistance it provides will be offset by the savings from reduced security requirements and from the increased trade and tourism which peace will permit.