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Source: http://www.hudson-ny.org/2483/palestinians-shoe-throwing-extortion
Palestinian Extortion
(Hudson Institute-New York) Khaled Abu Toameh - American diplomats who arrived in Ramallah this week for a reception in honor of Palestinian partner organizations and U.S. exchange program alumni were greeted by angry Palestinian protesters who shouted anti-U.S. slogans and hurled shoes at their armored vehicles. The message is: If you do not endorse our position and if you cut off financial aid, we will turn against you. It is called extortion. Instead of demanding changes in behavior, the Western governments always seem to pay up with no demands, and then look surprised when there are no changes and each time the ransom demand goes up. In recent weeks, PA officials have been encouraging Palestinians to stage anti-U.S. demonstrations and rallies to condemn Washington's "bias" in favor of Israel. PA media outlets, including some that had benefited from U.S. and EU financial aid and training, have also been taking part in the incitement against Washington's policies. What the Americans do not understand is that all the money in the world will not help them win the hearts and minds of a majority of Arabs and Muslims. But without Israel, the Middle East would be a more ugly and dangerous place to live in. Israel is the only democracy here and we need it.