Seeds of violence

[King_David]

Little has changed in the hostile atmosphere in the Gaza or the West Bank since the days of the second intifada.

The militarization of a population, the manner by which a regime systematically destines its people for a perpetual clash with an enemy, is a prime method for dangerously prolonging a conflict, sometimes for decades. Indeed, the past couple of weeks of unrestrained provocations have reminded us of the 60- year-old war footing maintained by the North Korean government against the West. But one need not look so far eastward to find another example of a regime using its resources for waging hostilities with both its external and internal enemies. Indeed, Israelis can find a more telling example of a government preparing for endless conflict much closer to home.

Recently, the Palestinian Authority publicly revealed its new budget. In approving the 2013 fiscal plan, the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas signed off on a startling $3.9 billion spending spree. What is fascinating, however, is not just the amount of money being destined for expenditures but rather the manner in which the PA is planning on allocating it.

Almost $1b., about 28 percent of the budget, will be spent on defense, compared to 16% for education and 10% for medical services. In other words, a bulk of the PA’s funds will not be used for schooling, health or infrastructure, but for procuring weapons and maintaining a massive military structure. A government which is not officially at war with Israel, and has no formal army, has somehow decided to invest all of its financial resources in militarization – at a time the US is asking it to continue with final settlement negotiations.

Apart from paying the salaries of 95% of “defense employees” in Hamas-ruled Gaza, the PA also uses its budget to strengthen its oppressive grip on the local population. Money is used to torment minorities, gays, women, and to indoctrinate schoolchildren with hateful rhetoric as well as to glorify terrorist attacks against Jews.

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Seeds-of-violence-309716

[msongs]

1. israelites have been doing this kind of things for more than 2000 years. nothing new here nt

[King_David]

2. Israelites huh ?

Biblical Jews?

What that got to do with anything ?

More than 2000 years huh ? Are they still around ?????

Jews have been around for more than 2000 years... Did you mean Jews ???

[muxin]

3. Compare that number to Israeli military budget

Israel spent more than $15 billions for their military, $1 billion is nothing compare to that.

Palestine is not a country in a normal condition, why is that so shocking to you? defense is a very important thing to consider when you have a neighbor like Israel. So you mean when Israel continuously STEALING their lands, blockade their territory, arresting little kids, you expect them to just sit there and take it like an idiot?

Moreover.. they are having a conflict with a country that spent more than $15 billions on their military!!

Or maybe they're just tired to build schools that will eventually be destroyed by Israeli air strike.