#2 "The dirty politics of humanitarian aid", The Jerusalem Post|April 18 2002| G. M. Steinberg
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF: "Amid the intense propaganda war, there is unusual agreement on the developing humanitarian tragedy. No one disputes the fact that many, and perhaps most of the houses in the Jenin refugee camp were destroyed in the fighting, whether by terrorist bombs that were exploded in efforts to kill Israeli soldiers, or by tanks and troops.
The residents who did not flee are without regular supplies of food, water and medicines. The same is true, although to a lesser degree, in other areas of intense fighting, such as Nablus, parts of Ramallah and Bethlehem. ... Without delving into the considerable evidence that many of the adults in these camps were part of the Palestinian terrorist support network, the delivery of humanitarian aid for the others, including children, is part of the Jewish tradition.
The real humanitarian tragedy is that the number of individuals and agencies qualified to deliver this aid, without engaging in destructive propaganda is very small. Many of the non-governmental orgs and aid agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, are tainted by their support of anti-Israel political agendas. Self-declared "peace protestors" are more interested in the publicity and propaganda than in actually helping people. By adopting a policy of confrontation with Israel (and bringing compliant journalists), propagandists know that any packages will be carefully searched for bombs, while they publicize allegations of Israeli interference with transfer of food and medicine.
UN agencies, in general, and the UN Relief and Works Agency [UNRWA], in particular, provide poignant examples of this catastrophic situation. In 52 years of its "temporary" existence, UNRWA has become part of the problem, rather than providing a solution. In addition to the humanitarian aid, including food, health, education, housing, and other services,UNRWA has become a central component in the Palestinian political structure.... |
...always the voice of sweet reason...