Jordan’s Prime Minister Reads ‘Rubin Reports’ — And Doesn’t Like It
In a similar vein, my good friend David Gerstman points out that a Palestinian leader given a New York Times op-ed to attack Mitt Romney for attributing Palestinian economic problems to cultural issues was at the center of a corruption scandal four years ago.
Mr. Gerstman put it this way:
“The other day, the New York Times added the oddest critique to its campaign, Munib Masri’s op-ed “Occupation, Not Culture, Is holding Palestinians back”:
As one of the most successful businessmen and industrialists in Palestine today (there are many of us), I can tell Mr. Romney without doubt or hesitation that our economy has two arms and one foot tied behind us not by culture but by occupation.
It’s hard to succeed, Mr. Romney, when roadblocks, checkpoints and draconian restrictions on the movement of goods and people suffocate our business environment. It is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of our Palestinian culture that we have managed to do so well despite such onerous constraints.
“But as Barry Rubin pointed out four years ago in a column about Masri called “None Dare Call it News Coverage”:
Critics say some of the profits were made possible by a lucrative telecommunications monopoly the company held for several years.
We are not told from whence this monopoly came—from the PA. The word corruption is never mentioned. Such a lack of curiosity about the sources of his wealth does not accord with journalistic practices in covering other stories.
Indeed, the story of the telecommunications monopoly is one of the best-known stories of corruption among Palestinians. How PA and Fatah factions competed over the loot, how Arafat intervened directly in the issue.
In other words, if there was an exhibit of the problems Palestinian culture presented to the development of a functioning economy, Munib Masri would be a prime candidate. No doubt the editors of the New York Times don’t expect its readers to know Masri’s background; maybe they don’t either.
This is why Arabs are savages in general… their low level of moral development. Its part of their culture.
The West humors them as though they have a civilization and this is part of the problem. We Westerners don’t have blood feuds, hate others or kill each other at the drop of a hate and settle differences between ourselves by force.
They do and in a nutshell is everything that is wrong with the Arab World – sheer fanaticism, cruelty, blood-thirstiness and a general disregard for human life. Examples from there abound daily.
But you never see it candidly discussed in the pages of the New York Times – not when Arab backwardness can be conveniently blamed on Dr. Barry Rubin and his country, Israel.
And here you swing to the opposite extreme. There are Arabs with high level of moral development and Westerners with a low level. In addition, only 60 years ago Jews were shipped to the death camps under the “high” level of German civilization.
Ah but you are bringing up the ideological trait of both those cultures that allied them in WWII – that of a totalitarian ideology based on race. For even in the Muslim world at large those that are not Arab are still treated as second class citizens though they are all Muslim.
Writ large is the leftist ideology that insists on controlling its population rather than on ordered liberty which largely leaves its citizens alone to go about their lives in peace.
Shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows much about Islam. The hadith say Mo told his followers that Arabs would always be first among equals in Islam and always be the leaders.
and there is evidence hitler got his ideas from islamists.
Prof. Rubin: You wrote: “No doubt the editors of the New York Times don’t expect its readers to know Masri’s background; maybe they don’t either.” I would amend that phrase to: maybe they don’t care. As always: Refuah Shlema.
Israeli heritage sites-The Kotel, City of David, Rachels Tomb, Tomb of the Patriarchs, Masada
Palestinian heritage sites- Dophinarium, Park Hotel of Netanya, Cafe Hillel on Emek Refaim, No 18 Jerusalem bus, Sbarros in downtown Jerusalem
When I think of Palestinian heritage, I think of the man who held up his bloody hands after lynching 2 Israeli soldiers. It should be on the coins and stamps of Palestine
Interesting to note in passing: Munib Masri’s family name, “masri,” means “Egyptian,” reminding us yet again of the recent immigrant and non-Palestinian origins of so many “Palestinians From Time Immemorial” and again confirming the accuracy and reliability of the overal account and conclusions of Joan Peters’ From Time Immemorial. This book should not be disregarded or dismissed, even though it has certainly been heatedly vilified by the usual suspects with overloads of red herrings, mountains out of mole-hills, false contexts, false quotes and false attributions also regarding the solid sources Peters cites, precisely because it so effectively strips away the veil of lies from Palestinian and anti-Israel propaganda.
The Hamas Minister of Interior and National Security, Fathi Hammad, declared on al-Hekma TV, an Egyptian TV channel, on March 23 of this year that half of his own family is Egyptian, and he further pointed out that in Gaza many families are called “al-Masri,” i.e., from Egypt, and half of the Gaza population have this background, while the other half, he says, are Arabian (he calls them “Saudis”). See http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/815/6260.htm. Obviously, and unlike the Palestine Liberation Organization/Fatah, he does not need to pretend to the non-Muslim world (in European languages) that “Palestinians” are the indigenous natives to justify unending war against the Israelis as “occupiers,” since he relies explicitly on the jihadi and antisemitic teachings of Islam: Hamas is the frontline of Islam warring against Jews, who are the chief representatives of non-Muslims in the Middle East, and that is sufficient to justify its call to annihilate them and their state. He needs no “secular” excuses and can therefore state openly what Palestinians already know and discuss amongst themselves about their family origins. Furthermore and in any case he has rejected the claim that Gaza is “occupied”: it is ruled autonomously by Hamas, he says, even if this is denied by the P.A. and their spokespeople in the U.N.
I take this opportunity to express the deep sympathy and concern I have for Barry Rubin’s illness, and my truly heartfelt hopes and prayers for his quick healing. We the Jewish people are so fortunate to have been blessed with such people in our midst. Thank you for you, Barry.
Barry, do know that you have many loving friends who have never met you except through the printed word, and who take your personal welfare very much to heart. I add my prayers to those of the others who have written to you. May this trying time pass and you find that the illness can be overcome. May Hashem bring you a Refuah shlemah!
Regarding the non-Palestinian origins of Arabs in Israel and the territories – of course. Still, Israel has to deal with them. They are not going anywhere (precisely because of the nature of Arab society). They are staying put.
Objectively, the point would be stronger if Israel had not helped so many Russians of part-Jewish origins in 1990s in particular on the grounds that they were Jews returning to the homeland.
But that is a side point. The main point is that neither Israeli Arabs (Israeli ‘Palestinians’) nor Judea-Samaria (or Gaza) Arabs are going anywhere. More, if any Israeli gov’t were to even begin to think about expelling even a tiny minority of them, the internal and external reaction would be so fierce that such a gov’t would stop in its tracks..
Larry,
Israel does not have to expel anyone. The Palestinian Arabs would leave of their own free will if the UN and Western Europe would stop supporting them. The Palestinian problem is artificially created by funding from institutions that have as their subtext the undermining of Israel as a Jewish state.
I used to believe that, Jerry. But they are too comfortable in Israel, and, now, in Judea and Samaria. Even Gaza is affluent, in large measure thanks to Israeli aid – including electricity that powers their rocket(s) production.
And the Israeli Left – more powerful in Israel than the American Left is in the US – will protect them no matter what.
Evan Zuesse, I’m not sure I you’re the esteemed Australian historian but while it’s true many Palestinians are descendants of immigrants many are not. It’s fairly easy to determine since they are clan-based. The main ruling clans are indeed Arabian but many others are actually of Jewish and Samaritan origin converted mainly under Turkish rule. You should look at the work of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsvi_Misinai Tsvi Misinai who believes bringing these Palestinians back to Judaism is the next phase of Zionism. In some towns and cities as many as 80% are of Jewish origin.
You’ve got the NYT. We have the Guardian in the UK (with the state sponsored BBC as it’s trumpet).
Groan….
On one hand I’m inclined to agree with the thieving Masri that corruption isn’t that much of a problem in economic development. A growing economy needs uniform rules and whether the money is taken via taxes or bribes is irrelevant provided the “government take” is known and predictable. On the other hand, the type of corruption mentioned is “crony capitalism” which establishes monopolies that are anti-competitive, anti-consumer, non-innovative and are harmful to economic development. As a point of clarification though… are we talking about the Palestinian government or our Federal Government?
Much like us, if the Palestinians really want a thriving economy they need free markets, real government transparency, and the rule of law. And, much like us, that’s not going to happen as long as the media operates a protection racket for the lying, thieving politicians and their cronies. Undoubtedly, the media is ignoring the murder, mayhem, economic despair, cultural rot and utter depravity “for the children”. Oh, wait, are we talking about the Palestinians or Chicagoans?
Q) What’s the difference between the Palestinian Government and our Federal Government?
A) A second Obama term.
When Sunnis and Shiites kill each other it becomes sushi.
‘Sunni-Shia conflict would displace the Arab-Israeli conflict’ Totally true, I would also add ethnic strife to the mix, such as Turks vs Kurds, Persians vs Arabs, Arabs vs Turks and so on. What kept the ME relatively quiet is the Arabs hate for anything Jewish. Sooner rather than latter schism among the Muslims will be proven deadlier than their unity against the Jews. Just watch what’s going on in Syria and southeast Turkey and also Iraq. As for Jordan and her King, I’ll be surprise if they will be around after mid century.
Israel provides a unifying hatred for Islam: unfortunately, Muslims have many older and closer object of loathing.
Hatred is what empowers Islam. Better still, they like blaming others. When the UK began attacking the slave trade, Muslims blamed anti-Islamic motives.
When you blame others you can’t adjust. It is just too easy to keep Israel, rather than bothering neighbors who would be much more extravert and vengeful than Israel has ever been.
Israel might take that lesson to heart.
Dude. If you have a successful business, you didn’t build that. You didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.
The biggest problem with the Palestinians is that they are so blinded by hate that they keep shooting themselves in the foot.
The latest Sinai terririst attack is a typical example.
Hamas finally has the chance to strengthen ties and open borders with Egypt.
Unfortunatly for them a Gaza based terror group launched an attack that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers before turning their captured vehicles on Israel where they were promptly destroyed.
Egyptians are furious. All deals are off with Hamas. Everyone knows that Hamas did not do this directly but they are at complete fault for letting it happen. They just cannot get it through their heads that when you allow fanatical terrorists (other than your own) to operate from your base and allow them unfettered access to smuggled weapons this is what you get. You have no control so do not be shocked when they do something that screws up your strategy.
Hamas has been getting a pass from Israel when these groups launch missiles. The counter strikes are limited and Israel has not hit Hamas directly. That is what they save for the big stick if it gets too heavy. So Hamas calls off the dogs when they think Israel is getting serious and things go back to the same status quo. A couple missiles and morters a day aimed at your houses are no big deal, right? Maybe not if you are Israel but Egypt is not going to put up with that nonsense.
Maybe they thought they could keep getting away with this even though attacks were now going through Egyptian Sinai. That was a mistake.
Palestinians in general far overestimate the depth of symapthy they really have from their fellow Arabs and how much others will put up with from them. Everyone has been peddling the same lies for so on that there is no actual conversation going on.
Masri has the same problem. It is more than clear what his business needs is a negotiated solution with Israel and greater economic ties with his more economically developed neighbor. Time and time again it is clear that Palestinians in general do not want this. Maybe they are comfortable now and do not want to admit that the goal of wiping out Israel has been defeated.
I have met a few Palestinians in the USA and Canada. They know exactly how deeply they are despised by they fellow Arabs. ask any Lebanese , Jordanian or Egyptian about the Palestinians and I’ll bet their response will include the words dog, pigs and whoresons.
Interesting…..
Islam’s Universal Economic Failure | FrontPage Magazine
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/daniel-greenfield/islams-universal-economic-failure/
A couple of points: 1. Although the attack on the Egyptian base was most likely executed by forces outside Egypt, one cannot discount the possibility that it was done by or at least in league with the Brotherhood. Why? Because attacks such as these can, as Mr. Rubin noted, garner more money and training from the US and other actors. 2. Additional attacks, such as those carried out on the natural gas pipeline, can put pressure on Israel to allow more Egyptian troops in the Sinai and jets overhead. Political Science 101 speaks to real politiks. The question here is, What value is Egypt to US interests? What value is a odestly-stable, if impoverished-Brotherhood-led Egypt to Israel? Smarter and more knowledgeable folks than I must answer those questions, but they cannot be either answered or policies carried forth by so-called progressives. Lastly, Mr. Rubin, know that good people everywhere are praying for you and your family.
The syrian PM ran to Jordan to save his bacon. Where the Jordanian PM be able to run to? I suspect many Hashemites are worried that the Israelis will reneg on the treaty parts that ensure their regime from hostile powers? I suspect more and more Israelis are thinking that if only the IAF didn’t intervene in 1970, would the issue of a Palestinian state have already been resolved? If the Hashemites are overthrown and Jordan becomes Palestine, does Israel’s ituation improve or deteriorate? I would be interested in Professor Rubin’s or anyone else’s speculations.
Say it aint so, Barry!
Regarding Palestinians of Jewish origin… before this last intifada in 2000, I was friends with an artist who I met before that utopian peace/dialogue phase was blown to bits… he came from the Joudeh clan in Nablus… it doesn’t take a great stretch of the imagination to consider the source of the name… especially with har grizim in the background and a visit to the Samaritan community…
and again… a refuah shlema to Barry…
It has never been the aim of Islam to improve the living conditions of their adherents. In fact, leaders in truly Muslim countries keep their citizens as poor and dependent as possible. A healthy, vibrant society will not easily submit to tyranny. We may see parallels in our ouwn country with the socialist party fighting to keep our poor, poor. Class warfare here is the equivalent of hating Jews in the middle East. Keep the populace busy targeting some group, whether racial or economic and they will consent to be controlled.