Corruption in Palestine

Corruption must be tackled early and forcefully because it is a disease that spreads.

Mahmoud Abbas photo: english.alarabiya.net

(BETHLEHEM) - On the way back from Bethlehem University we noted a small bulldozer that has removed a stone monument of a map of historic Palestine and the olive tree at the entrance of the city (in Alkarkafa, picture at blog link below).

This was not Israeli authorities but the “Palestinian authority” (PA) from higher up but via the Mayor of Bethlehem.

Instead of the olive tree and the map, the idea is that Mr. Obama will see a new thing: a dove at the entrance of Bethlehem. The people gathered angry and stopped the work.

Some said that the PA was acting as a subcontractor for the Israeli authorities; PA security personnel still patrol the refugee camps like Aida to prevent young people from challenging the Israeli occupation and PA security officials still cooperate with the Israeli security officials.

They arrest Palestinians in the West Bank especially those affiliated with Islamic movements and they ensure that people who get government positions are loyal members of one faction (Fatah). Even strictly financial corruption of many PA officials and even after it is widely documented is not brought to justice. As I wrote while in South Africa, corruption is everywhere in the world and people need to mobilize against it.

When Abu Jihad (Palestinian hero and martyr of the resistance) was asked about corruption, he answered in the same way as Nelson Mandela answered: we can root it out AFTER liberation. The experience in South Africa and in Palestine suggest that corruption must be tackled early and forcefully because it is a disease that spreads.

For more including action items (demonstrations planned against Obama’s visit) , messages to Obama, picture of toppled monument, and to leave your comments please go to http://popular-resistance.blogspot.com/2013/03/corruption.html

Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
http://qumsiyeh.org

Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD - Popular Committee to Defend Ush Ghrab (PCDUG) "A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home. Mazin has been an Associate Professor of Genetics; Director, Cytogenetics Laboratory at Yale University School of Medicine since 1999. He previously held a similar position at Duke University. Professor Qumsiyeh has authored over 110 scientific papers in areas of mammalogy, biology, and medicine including mammalian biology and evolution, clinical genetics, and cancer research. He has published over 100 letters to the editor and 30 op-ed pieces in International, national, regional and local papers on issues ranging from politics to environmental issues. His appearances in national media included the Washington Post, New York Times, Boston Globe, CNBC, C-Span, and ABC, among others. He is the founder and president of the Holy Land Conservation Foundation and ex-President of the Middle East Genetics Association, and Prof. Qumsiyeh won the Jallow activism award from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee in 1998. He is author of “Sharing the Land of Canaan: Human rights and the Israeli/Palestinian Struggle” and just published “Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of Hope and Empowerment.” Visit Mazin Qumsiyeh's amazing and informative Website to learn more: qumsiyeh.org.