Freedom, Not Handouts, Will Save Palestine
Despite being reduced to begging for financial assistance, the Palestinian Authority has plenty of economic resources to stand on its own, writes Sam Bahour. Donor countries would be well advised to hold Israel accountable for its stranglehold and free Palestine to help itself.
![Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City Palestinians celebrate on a street in Gaza City November 30, 2012. The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations from "entity" to "non-member state," implicitly recognizing a Palestinian state. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2012/q4/RTR3B1G5.jpg/RTR3B1G5.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=1zDmw8XN)
Palestine not only has a pie in the sky, it also has one off the coast of Gaza and many more across the land. The pies here are strategic economic assets for a Palestinian economy worthy of a state. But all of them are under total Israeli military control, rendering them paralyzed at best.
Until the collective international community — not just the United States — starts using its political weight to hold Israel accountable for holding an entire economy — and people — hostage, the reality on the ground is bound to get worse and the forthcoming violence more deadly and damaging.