Solving the Middle East Problem....

Making better lives for Palestinians is not the solution according to Khaled Abu Toameh....

While recent reports about an "economic boom" in the West Bank may be exaggerated, there's no ignoring the fact that there has been improvement in the living conditions of the Palestinians living there.

The improved conditions are mainly the result of a US-led effort to boost "moderate" Palestinians and thwart any attempt by Hamas to extend its control to the West Bank.

Many government officials in Israel, the US and Europe believe that shopping malls and festivals, as well as fashionable restaurants, five-star hotels and Turkish Baths would have a moderating effect on the West Bank's Palestinians.

However, it is wrong to assume that Palestinians would wake up one morning and sing the Israeli national anthem Hatikva simply because they have access to movies theaters and shopping malls.

Building a strong economy is not going to solve the Israeli-Arab conflict. For a majority of Palestinians, the conflict is not about economic projects or financial
matters.

The billions of dollars won't change Palestinians' negative attitude toward Israel, especially not when anti-Israel incitement and fiery rhetoric continue.

Even the poorest Palestinian would tell you that he or she would never give up his home or land in return for all the money in the world.

Palestinians who chose to receive money in return for their homes and lands have been condemned as "traitors" or killed.

If the donors want to continue helping the Palestinians financially, they must insist on an end to incitement and inflammatory statements.

This is a political, national and religious conflict. It's actually about accepting Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people in this part of the world.

This does not mean that the Palestinian media should start singing praise to Israel. All they should be asked to do is to "lower the tone" and start relating to Israel as a potential peace partner and not as an occupation force that an alien body that needs to be uprooted from the Middle East.