Friday, February 24, 2006

Another Election

Be careful what you wish for, pray for, advocate, and so forth!

The U.S.A. has been working hard to promote democracy in the Middle East. Now a terrorist organization has won a genuinely democratic election in the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is committed to the destruction of the nation of Israel, and the whole area has become more dangerous because of their success in the Palestinian elections. I can't resist pointing out that the Spanish word, "jamás," meaning, "never," is pronounced exactly the same way. It reminds me that much of the Spanish language has been affected by Arabic words and pronunciations. It also reminds me of the saying, "Never again!" referring to the Holocaust.

As of today Israel is withholding about $50 million that are supposed to be turned over to the Palestinian Authority. On the one hand, we cannot blame a nation for not contributing to an organization dedicated to its destruction. On the other hand, the funds are tax revenues collected by the government of Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority because some Palestinian territories are still being administered by Israel. It's a complex situation that cannot be solved simply.

There is hope that Hamas will have to become more moderate in order to administer an actual government. There is hope that a peace process already underway will continue. Arabs and Jews, who are already close kin ethnically and religiously, will have to learn to live together. Pray that our times will be the times for this ancient family quarrel to come to an end in peace and living harmony.

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