From 1967-1992 the so-called "occupied territories" were among the fastest growing economies in the world; per capita income DOUBLED. Then came Arafat who transformed the so called West Bank and Gaza into A PRIVATE fiefdom of corrupt islamism. Poverty ensued. Their situation worsened as they became more "autonomous" - though the last few years during Bibi's premiership and the previous Arab PM's tour of the West Bank, things got a little better.
REPEAT: Thinsg were better from 1967-1992 then they have been the 20 years since. Though since Arafat died, things have improved a little.
If the Arabs of the West Bank want to become prosperous, then they need to become less islamist and more libertarian. WHY? Prosperity is a by-product of liberty. Too bad for them, islamism is so virulently anti-libertarian - and sexist, which means half-their population is largely unproductive, (except sexually).
And another thing: Arafat was a SOCIALIST - one in good standing with the ISM. So, the so-called Palestinians also have to become less socialist if they want to become more prosperous.
REMEMBER: no one earth gets more per capita aid then the Palestinians. Aid will never lift them up. Only abandoning islamism and socialism will lift up the Arabs.
THAT'S WOULD BE CULTURAL SHIFT, A CULTURAL REVOLUTION.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE ARAB WORLD - SOME HAVE CALLED IT AN "ARAB SPRING" - IS NOT A CULTURAL REVOLUTION; IT'S A REACTIONARY NATIVISTIC SPASM.
NATIVISM: the policy or practice of preserving or reviving an indigenous culture.
REPEAT: Under Israeli occupation they never had it so good. The only Arabs who fared better were Arab citizens of Israel. Because they are living in a free and open society.
IS EGYPT BECOMING FREE AND OPEN? No. IS IRAN FREE AND OPEN? No. IS GAZA? No. IS SYRIA? No. WILL SYRIA BECOME FREE? Not likely.
And what is holding them all back?
The elephant in the room is islam.
It's the islam, stupid!
Not muslims, ISLAM.
Most muslims are ok because they don't practice their religion the way Mohammed did.
