Use aid as a weapon
From Laurence Kelvin
Sir: According to Irwin Stelzer, it would be in the long-term interest of the Palestinians if aid were reduced and eventually cut off altogether (‘The Palestinians’ real problem is the aid we send’, 25 March). Perhaps aid ought to continue but with more controls. No money should be directed to a Hamas government that seeks to place women in a diminished position and aims to introduce Sharia law, or to the Palestinian Authority which has been so blatantly corrupt for many years. This would be an obvious starting position. Instead, spending money on schools that do not have an anti-Semitic agenda and funding hospitals would encourage local people to align with Europe rather than some unpleasant Arab countries.
Mr Stelzer does not talk about the vast sums Israel has received in American aid. In the last five years America has given $16,278 million to Israel, including $12,368 million in military grant and $3,580 million in economic aid (Congressional Research Service). How about no more US aid to Israel till it stops building settlements on the West Bank?
Laurence Kelvin London W9
Previous page
