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Are Europeans Thwarting Normalization?

(Hudson Institute New York) Khaled Abu Toameh - It is easy to understand why Hamas and Muslim fundamentalists are opposed not only to normalization with Israel, but to the very existence of the Jewish state. However, it's hard to see why the "moderates" in Ramallah, Cairo and Amman continue to call for the boycott of Israel. It is even more difficult to understand why EU-funded NGOs are taking an active role in the anti-normalization campaign. Why are Dutch, Swedish, Danish and Belgian tax-payers funding organizations whose main goal is to widen the gap between Jews and Arabs instead of bringing them closer to each other? An organization that combats normalization with Israel is actually serving the interests of the extremists of the Arab world who want peace without - and not with - Israel. There's a large degree of hypocrisy in the fact that Fatah is opposed to normalization with Israel. Many Fatah leaders hold Israeli-issued VIP cards that enable them to visit Tel Aviv's fine restaurants and hotels. Others use the VIP cards to travel abroad frequently. Moreover, how can Fatah claim to be opposed to normalization with Israel while its security commanders are collaborating with Israeli security forces on a daily basis?
2010-03-31 08:39:39
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