[GeorgeSmiley]

I think that cash could be very useful, both for economic development and for security. First of all, Palestine has been inhabited by people for millenia. It must have been very desirable, since it has been fought over again and again throughout history. (partialy because of its economic value)Why should the Palestinians be poor now? Mostly (I think) because the turbulence of that country (more on this later) has made it difficult to run businesses and amass capital. By giving them money, they can help the Palestinians help themselves.

(Incidently, I refer to the Palestinians most of the time in this way because the Isrealis have done well for themselves-and I applaud them for it. The Palestinians are in a much more worse economic situation, and so probably deserve more. However, that is not to say that I think the Isrealis should get nothing.)

Secondly, I think that "cash" would greatly improve the political situation of Palestine. One of the reasons why terrorists are so intractable is that the Palestinian government is not strong enough to stop them. It often relies on other organizations,namely Hamas, to provide essential services because it does not have the cash or the power to raise enough revenue. As a result, many Palestinians (please refute me if I'm wrong-I do not have first hand knowledge of this and get this impression from the TV and newspapers) are just as or more loyal to these organizations as they are to the state. With this cash, the state can take more responsibility by providing more services (police and internal improvements). Not only would this make the state more stable, but it would increase the PA's ability to hamper terror organizations working within Palestine.