Undermining Democracy
January 7th, 2007Bush wants to send $83 million to Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. These funds are intended to build up “responsible security forces” to support Abbas.
Violence has broken out between Hamas and the PA after Abbas announced plans for early elections. The confrontation is quickly threatening to escalate into a civil war. The U.S. has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization and cutoff funding to Palestine last year after Hamas won the parliamentary elections.
That move alone showed America’s complete contempt for democracy in the Middle East.
These financial sanctions, however, became a problem when the U.S. wanted to fund a violent confrontation to the democratically elected government of Palestine. Funding terrorism against democracy is important, but the administration must ensure that “none of these funds in any way are able to be used by Hamas or benefit a Hamas-led government”
By funding security forces aligned against the elected government, Bush hopes to get Israel and Palestine back on “Road Map plan,” aimed at establishing peace and eventually an independent Palestinian state.
Our policy here has made America’s vision for democracy and peace in the Middle East crystal clear. We support democracy if it leads to decisions that we support. If the majority make the wrong decision, they will be punished. Likewise, peace is only useful when it is in our favor. Peace for us means crushing our enemies and creating security for our interests and allies.
This past year, neither democracy or peace was convenient for America in Palestine. As a result, economic and military actions were taken to undermine the two processes.
Working for democracy and peace in the Middle East is an important task. The first and most important step in this cause is for America to stop funding and supporting attacks on democracy.