Good news: U.S. to pledge $900 million to rebuild Gaza
posted at 8:50 pm on February 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via JWF, who calls it a different kind of “stimulus package.” After flushing $800 billion down the toilet on the stimulus, flushing another $900 mil in a doomed attempt to buy goodwill from a revanchist anti-western culture seems almost like a bargain.
The money, which needs U.S. congressional approval, will be distributed through U.N. and other bodies and not via the militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, said one official.
“This money is for Gaza and to help strengthen the Palestinian Authority. It is not going to go to Hamas,” said the official, who asked not to be named as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton planned to announce the funding at a donors’ conference in Egypt next week…
Clinton’s bid to get “substantial” funds could face an uphill battle in Congress because Hamas continues to rule Gaza and the U.S. focus is on its own souring economy…
The United States wants Abbas’s PA to play a central role in the reconstruction effort in Gaza, hoping this will increase its influence in the Hamas stronghold. Washington is also putting pressure on other donors to bolster Abbas.
Wasn’t one of the left’s chief criticisms of Israel’s Gaza operation that there was no Plan B if Hamas disintegrated? Fatah couldn’t ride in as the white knight on the backs of Israeli tanks to restore order or else they’d be seen as stooges and collaborators, we were told, not unreasonably. How is this de facto bribe of Gazans by Uncle Sam to restore Abbas to authority any different? And why would Hamas take the chance of letting the Palestinian Authority back into the strip knowing the threat it might pose to their hegemony? What am I missing here?
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this country is f%%K til 2013
mred on February 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM
???
cs89 on February 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM
We pledge to borrow more money from foreigners so we can be worldwide do-gooders.
DerKrieger on February 23, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Barack Obama has officially become a disgrace to the office.
WisCon on February 23, 2009 at 8:56 PM
is O! sunni or shia?
mred on February 23, 2009 at 8:56 PM
WTF?
canopfor on February 23, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I am pretty sure Gaza stays “shovel ready”. How can you have a meeting on how to save money and continue spending hand over fist. If I was someone who had supported the president I would be insulted at how stupid he thinks the people are.
Cindy Munford on February 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Put bugs and radio controlled explosives in the walls to save time in the future and it’s fine with me.
pedestrian on February 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Rebuild Gaza? Let the terrorists do it! I am sick and tired of our nation trying to buy goodwill from people who dont appreciate it. I want my money to be spent here, NOT THERE!
jerseyjoe99982002 on February 23, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Actually, the Obama admin. are just the right people to run the welfare state of Gaza. They’ve run one here for 50 years. Finally, something he’s experienced in. I predict success!
JiangxiDad on February 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
MB4 on February 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Osama Obama’s going to give the money to the UN so Hamas doesn’t get it?
Sweet Jesus, this child is stupider than I imagined in my worst nightmares. He needs to go…by 2013 there will be no United States and no Israel.
MrScribbler on February 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
This is an affront to all sane and civilized people. Now the US is funding the fight against Israel, directly. Awful. Absolutely awful.
P.S. Fatah are terrorist scum, too, and can’t be trusted with anything – except to try and destroy Israel. They will attack Israel at every opportunity, as their Al Aqusa brigades have been doing for years.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 8:59 PM
To Obama and Obama groupies. Let me ask you this. Did they say please, and will they say thank you?
I think not!
jerseyjoe99982002 on February 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Awesome. $900M that, despite government assurance, will definitely be used against Israel and eventually us.
Its change…we give it, they get it.
blankminde on February 23, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Good thing that Mr. Teleprompter and his favorite pet, Barney Frank, want to cut the budget for the Military for the United States of America by 25% to pay for this kinda crap………………
………… who’s side is he on anyways?
Damn thing those election thingys……….
Seven Percent Solution on February 23, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Closet.
Maquis on February 23, 2009 at 9:02 PM
It is not regional “trust” that we lack; it is our own common sense and survival instinct to realize that we must redraw the battle line around the West itself to stave off the depredations of Islamization — the endgoal after all, of all jihadists, violent and not.
- Diana West
MB4 on February 23, 2009 at 9:03 PM
I’m sure American’s will be happy to know that so many of their tax dollars will be spent improving the lives of terrorists and their supporters thus freeing up their cash for other expenses.
FloatingRock on February 23, 2009 at 9:03 PM
We all know exactly whose side he’s on.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM
We are sooo fckd.
TheSitRep on February 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM
You want to know what a peaceful Gaza looks like? Rather like a sudden inlet of the Mediterranean Sea.
blankminde on February 23, 2009 at 9:05 PM
meh.
theres a very good realist argument to make for ensuring the region doesnt spend too much time in utter bombed out squalor. people please, lets realize foreign policy really is nuanced, as much as people hate that word. sure there are issues with just who gets that money and what they do with it…but there is a very real case to make for the fact that leaving the place bombed out hurts our long term goals in the region.
this isnt about buying the goodwill of a fanatical regime, no one would ever insist on that. this is an easy round geopolitical question: you’re faced with a long term negotiating process that could disintegrate at any moment. this particular hotbed of terrorist activity has been left rather decimated. do you, a)do nothing, gaining you nothing and risking a whole lot, or b)throw some chump change their way to turn the lights back on and get running water.
remember the analysis of what worked in iraq. quick simple public works projects, soccer fields and the like, went a long way into giving the people living in squalor there a stake in the outcome. im sure this isnt exactly the same situation…but its similar. the goal is to maximize benefit and minimize risk. given the other option (nothing) this money makes some sense.
ernesto on February 23, 2009 at 9:05 PM
If a single Republican votes for this I am going to go mad!
DrStock on February 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM
The President – Monday evening (tonight)
Gee, as long as you have no idea what you are doing, might as well print some more and send it to the UN…….????
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Huh?
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Terrorist Supporter-in-chief!
As Palin said, the guy “pals around with terrorists.”
Our money goes to bloody hands.
jencab on February 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Ernesto, you are a darling of a useful idiot. If this site had Troll awards, I would nominate you.
Alinsky on February 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM
WTF!!! Distributed by the UN???
DrStock on February 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Allah, great article! Ah, don’t know what you are missing. Except that we are broke and our Reps. is using Our Money to do this. Just help the terrorists out Mr. Man Child. You are the most idiotic Leader evah! We need to impeach him before he ruins our Country and US! Screw the third world Countries and Screw the UN!
sheebe on February 23, 2009 at 9:08 PM
WTF
Wade on February 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Why, I’m sure that none of that taxpayer money will go to re-arming Hamas…………….
I’ve also got a bridge in NYC to sell you.
Techie on February 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Another ignorant Monkey. Get back in your wrought iron cage before I take a Flog to your sorry a**!
sheebe on February 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Wow. Were you one of those losers who tried to take over the NYU building?
WisCon on February 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
So he thinks the money going to the UN will not go to Hamas……..
and John Kerry thought the letter he had was from his grandma…..
Hello Houston…..we’ve got a problem……
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
As long as the terrorists and their supporters are living in Gaza, Gaza hasn’t been bombed nearly enough, IMO.
FloatingRock on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
US backs Hamas-PA reconciliation talks
Wethal on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I wonder if Shumer will think this is another one of those “tiny” items that the American people really don’t care about.
DrStock on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Ernesto, whatcha smokin’ bro. These are Arab Muslims whose religion demands the subjugation, conversion, or death of all infidels. In case you haven’t been listening since Sept 11, 2001, that would be you, unless you’re Muslim.
Look up jijya.
Pelayo on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Why are y’all acting surprised? Please, this is only the beginning.
SouthernGent on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Well of COURSE it won’t go directly to Hamas. The money will go to other organizations and Hamas thugs will take it from them at gunpoint. Ogabe gets points with the Pal savages and saves himself from being tainted by scandal yet again.
Geez…Ogabe is dumb but he’s not that dumb.
Bishop on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
LOL.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Complete BS.
Huck Fussein.
VolMagic on February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Dammit, it’s Jizya.
Pelayo on February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Phase II: $4.2 billion to rebuild Al Qaeda.
Don’t laugh. You heard it here first.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I suppose the lesson here is that if you need a quick billion dollars, just lob a few rockets at Israel. Despicable. Again it fits the trend of rewarding bad behavior. If you want to profit from the US government, all you apparently have to do is be a dead beat or a terrorist or a totalitarian tyrant.
What has happened to my country?
crosspatch on February 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Does ACORN have an office in Gaza?
DrStock on February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Easy call. Bambi’s in charge. No need to plead for the $. They’re getting it, the soccer fields, and all the nice stuff you want.
How long are you going to wait to see if your experiment works (we’ll forget all about the $ previously sent to GAZA by the EU)?
On the extremely remote chance that the Gazans don’t mend their ways, what’s your next move? Or maybe someone else should decide that.
JiangxiDad on February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Will this be a block grant to Hamas or will the money be split evenly among Hamas, Hezbos and Islamic Jihad?
moxie_neanderthal on February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
The “hope” and the “change”…?
ujorge on February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
people please, lets realize foreign policy really is nuanced, as much as people hate that word
jerseyjoe99982002 on February 23, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Very true. Samantha Power wanted to spend $900 million in Tomahawks striking Tel Aviv. The idiot messiah told her to wait a month.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:13 PM
This, is either laughable,or criminal!
Hopey/Changey,after scaring Americans into closing their
wallets and purses,has the absolute AUDACITY to be wrighting
off 900 Billion Dollars of hard earned American Taxpayer
money,to,—————GAZA!
The Liberal Party,the Obama Administration,have for the last two months,have called the economy ‘A CRISIS’,day in
and day out,non-stop!
Then,after calling it a DEPRESSION,he sits on the Stimulus Bill for days,not signing it,meanwhile all along,the Bill
had to be voted on,with no time for debate,the timing was
critical and crucial to America’s existence !
Then,during this ‘CRITICAL DEPRESSION’,Obama finds 900
million dollars for ‘DEATH TO AMERICA-GAZA’!
And,to top it off,the mortgage’CRISIS’ is only affecting
5 States,and not the entire country!
It is painfully clear,that the Liberals have screwed the
American voters,this is by design,an agenda,its been
planned!
It’s tax and spend,period!!
canopfor on February 23, 2009 at 9:13 PM
WTF!!! Has this administration completely lost their %#@&* marbles????
Star20 on February 23, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Yep, and tomorrow night we’ll all be told we need to sacrifice…..
I’ve been bent over all day holding my ankles and now I don’t know which way is up……
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
HEY!
IDEA!
blatantblue on February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I can’t think of a bigger waste of money. $900 million to rebuild the homeland of one of our arch enemies? Great.
echosyst on February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
This is a real life The Mouse That Roared.
Seriously, I don’t want my money going to those jackasses.
Blake on February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
*f’ed up my first comment*
HEY!
IDEA!
Let’s build greenhouses for the Palestinians, only to have them burn them down!
Wait…
.sarc
blatantblue on February 23, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Suha Arafat will fly in from Paris, private jet of course, for the special occasion, and for a Hillary hug.
Hopefully this isn’t over, yet, and the hearings will expose that we’re paying directly, or indirectly, those who’d destroy Israel. Jews who voted for Obama, including those in Congress, wake up.
Entelechy on February 23, 2009 at 9:15 PM
OH, SOaB!
AbaddonsReign on February 23, 2009 at 9:15 PM
will be distributed through U.N.
And those geniuses have never grafted our money before, no sir.
They can distribute the money out of a brothel; you bring them an underage girl and you get a bundle of C-notes in return.
Bishop on February 23, 2009 at 9:15 PM
No surprise there. Time to take up arms yet people?
Viper1 on February 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM
By executive order preference will be given to union workers to rebuild Gaza.
TooTall on February 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM
What you are missing is that Obama thinks money grows on trees.
Dusty on February 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Maybe he’s helping those Palestinians who are behind on their hut mortgage.
ouldbollix on February 23, 2009 at 9:17 PM
theres a very good realist argument to make for ensuring the region doesnt spend too much time in utter bombed out squalor… there is a very real case to make for the fact that leaving the place bombed out hurts our long term goals in the region.
/sarc
FloatingRock on February 23, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Yeah, now we’re dumping money down the real bottomless pit.
Aronne on February 23, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Yes they do…..the house is now rubble but they are going to defend it from the evil bank until the President’s money gets there…..
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:18 PM
I want to see a cartoon!
Its a Liberal donkey,wearing the typical jihady head dress,
at the front door of a Mosque,with pile of donkey doo-doo,
and jihady goons shoveling up the money,crap,I mean Liberal
dung,and above the jihady’s heads,
is the caption,”Death to America”!
canopfor on February 23, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Gaza was being rebuilt before the Israelis backed out of it in a horrible display of cowardice. Obama is no fool. He is running full speed into weakening every good institution and ally of the USA.
What does that make him?
daesleeper on February 23, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Nope, it was tunnel mortgages and they are all behind in their payments….
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Boy, oh boy… this new administration is working out just swimmingly. None of us should be surprised at this. Question is, when will America (outside of the conservative blogosphere) wake up and get angry?
little hussein works directly for the enemy
ErinF on February 23, 2009 at 9:20 PM
WOW! I don’t know what to say to this. What a slap in the face to one of our greatest allies.
Brat4life on February 23, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Maybe he’s helping those Palestinians who are behind on their hut mortgage.
ouldbollix on February 23, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Heh.
“Ahmed bought a two room mud pit for his family of nineteen even though he could barely afford the $1.35 monthly payment. Then he lost his job sniping Jewish school kids and things fell apart for him and his family. President Ogabe, won’t you please help?”
Bishop on February 23, 2009 at 9:21 PM
I would just give $100 Million to Israel for new bombs and let them take care of the problem. Just saved $800 Million and you won’t have all those mouths to feed for years to come.
izoneguy on February 23, 2009 at 9:22 PM
A traitor – Impeachment time
izoneguy on February 23, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Mr. President, it is Prime Minister Netanyahu on the phone…..no it is not about the upcoming festival……
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:23 PM
“UNCLE”
M-14 2go on February 23, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Money for terrorists!?!
ChimpyMcObamahitler strikes again!
Fascist AmeriKKKa!
profitsbeard on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
It’s come to the point where I hear about some new spending that Obama has in mind, I open my mouth to react, and no sound comes out. I purse and unpurse my lips a few times, pat the desk, and go count my ammunition.
I need more.
MadisonConservative on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Ut oh. When you see the word nuanced hide the women and the booze!
MB4 on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
But the idiot messiah prefers to buy bombs for the other side. He doesn’t like the Western world.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Gaza has a really bad home forclosure profile. After terrorists complete a suicide bombing the Israeli Army almost always forcloses on the bomber’s residence.
Nice to know we’re doing what we can….
moxie_neanderthal on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I’d give my tax money to help level Gaza, but I sure as hell don’t want to give it to rebuild it. Seriously, these people danced in the streets on 9/11. WTF are we doing?!
CP on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
By executive order preference will be given to union workers
to rebuild Gaza.
TooTall on Feb 23,2009 at 9:16PM.
TooTall: And those workers will be picked by Reich no less!:)
canopfor on February 23, 2009 at 9:25 PM
“You broke it, you bought.”
Hey, wait a second here… :-0
Dr. ZhivBlago on February 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM
What the everloving hell is going on here?
Seriously, why aren’t we killing people yet? This is but another pebble of bullsqueeze in the drinking water. When do the head’s start to roll? When it’s too late to save what’s left of the country?
Midas on February 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Let’s see…………was that Saddam Barack Hussein….or Barack Hussein Saddam………..or wait….Barack Hussein Obama…………..I don’t know…..something like that….they all love sand, sun and camels………….
Cinday Blackburn on February 23, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Now that the isiot messiah is being very open about where his sympathies lie, perhaps the LAT can finally release the Khalidi tape? It’s just old news, now.
progressoverpeace on February 23, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Thank you Sarah Silverman for telling ignorant Jews that The One would good for Israel. http://www.thegreatschlep.com/
Oh nevermind. Silverman you and your ilk should rot.
Lance Murdock on February 23, 2009 at 9:27 PM
You’ve caused me to wonder how Obama reacted….
FloatingRock on February 23, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Obama is becoming the #1 suicide bomber for the Middle East and America is his target.
javamartini on February 23, 2009 at 9:27 PM
How many days until we get to 100?
Right and Wrong don’t matter anymore……beam me up Scotty…..
Starlink on February 23, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Ernesto, you are a darling of a useful idiot. If this site had Troll awards, I would nominate you.
Alinsky on February 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM
What a good idea- Troll awards!
anniekc on February 23, 2009 at 9:28 PM
i hate obama every bit as much as obama hated Bush….even more
Locrian on February 23, 2009 at 9:28 PM
come on people…it ain’t cash…it’s CREDIT!
winston on February 23, 2009 at 9:28 PM
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