Appeasing and Opposing at the Same Time
Appeasing and Opposing at the Same Time
The UN gets half of Scott Fitzgerald’s quote right: “The test of the first rate mind is the ability to hold two opposing thoughts at the same time while still retaining the ability of function.†Now, if only it could function.
The United Nations called for an 80 percent increase in emergency humanitarian aid to Palestinians on Wednesday, citing a deepening crisis that follows a freeze in Western assistance to the government.
The United Nations and aid groups said in a statement they had revised an emergency aid appeal for 2006 to $385 million from an original estimate of $215 million. The money would help pay for employment programs, food aid and health care.
Western countries cut off direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after the militant Islamist group Hamas, which is sworn to destroy Israel but has largely abided by a truce for over a year, took over the government following elections in January….Western powers have called on Hamas to recognize Israel, renounce violence and abide by existing peace agreements if it wants contacts or aid to resume. Hamas has so far refused.
So we shouldn’t give them money because they won’t renounce violence or recognize Israel–but at the same time we should increase aid 80%. I’d support the UN if it proposed an 80% increase of nothing. Hell, I’d even go further. I’d double it.