WAR: Palestinians Trade Violence for Jobs, page 1

posted on Apr, 12 2005 @ 12:02 PM

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The Palestinian Authority launched a new program that guarantees jobs for militants who promise to not engage in further acts of terrorism. Two hundred militants have already signed agreements, while the authority is seeking a total of a thousand to join the ranks of the security forces or get civilian government jobs. The program is seen as a step forward in meeting Israel's demand for disarming Palestinian militant groups.

www.reuters.com
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - More than 200 Palestinian militants have pledged not to carry out acts of violence in exchange for jobs, in a first step toward disarming gunmen wanted by Israel, a Palestinian official said on Tuesday.

The Palestinian Authority is seeking signed commitments from a thousand militants to allow them to join security forces or get civilian government jobs, but the program stops short of taking away their weapons immediately as Israel has demanded.

Abdel-Fattah Hamayel, a former cabinet minister in charge of the program, said about 80 wanted men had already started working for West Bank security services, though they had yet to agree on turning in their weapons from their days as fighters.

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This sounds like a great idea. In many cases it seems like you need to provide a viable alternative to violence to turn such militants into productive members of society. I hope this plan is successful and will help bring peace to this troubled area.

Nygdan

posted on Apr, 12 2005 @ 12:25 PM

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Interesting, but, is it really wise to make people who've plotted, bombed, and assasinated israelis into security forces? Are they really to be expected to go out and kill people who are plotting, bombing, and assasinating israelis?

djohnsto77

posted on Apr, 12 2005 @ 03:26 PM

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You make a good point Nygdan...we certainly wouldn't want to recruit gang members as police officers in our inner cities, would we?

Nygdan

posted on Apr, 12 2005 @ 03:38 PM

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Definitly not ones who we couldn't guarentee weren't still active gang members!

JudahMaccabbi

posted on Apr, 13 2005 @ 05:53 AM

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THis game is all too well known. Palestinians are asked to sign commitments to desist from terrorism in order to get something on return. The Palestinians commit to this and then renege on that commitment. As an example we can take the late Sheik Ahmed Yassin. He was released from Israeli custody after pledging to refrain from supporting terrorism. He reneged on this agreement the moment he was freed.

mahrooq

posted on Apr, 13 2005 @ 11:42 AM

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Originally posted by Nygdan
Interesting, but, is it really wise to make people who've plotted, bombed, and assasinated israelis into security forces? Are they really to be expected to go out and kill people who are plotting, bombing, and assasinating israelis?

Maybe it is a bit like the ANC becoming the government in South Africa, Or Sinn Feinn participating in the power sharing agreement in Northern Ireland.

Phugedaboudet

posted on Apr, 13 2005 @ 12:43 PM

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Ah, but in todays info-warfare world, this will be a great step towards their cause. All they have to do is "play nice" until the Media has praised this program for awhile, then back to business as usual.

It's a great way to get "moles" into place. as well.

Or, it proves once again, terrorism isn't about the needs of an oppressed people, or religion, it's an excuse for the small power hungry leaders to make a big time noise. Now the street-block warlord can get himself a position in national politics. Works pretty well in Iraq, too.

Originally posted by JudahMaccabbi
THis game is all too well known. Palestinians are asked to sign commitments to desist from terrorism in order to get something on return. The Palestinians commit to this and then renege on that commitment. As an example we can take the late Sheik Ahmed Yassin. He was released from Israeli custody after pledging to refrain from supporting terrorism. He reneged on this agreement the moment he was freed.