Palestinian pessimism

Posted By Christine Y. Chen Monday, May 1, 2006 - 4:09 PM Share

The incomparable and generous Linda Gradstein of NPR allowed me to tag along with her on a trip to Ramallah in the West Bank today. Teachers and government employees haven't been paid their salaries in a month, and money is running out. Kids can't go to school because they can't pay for the bus. I talked to one 24-year-old today who wants to leave and never come back. He says there's no hope that things will get better.The situation isn't yet desperate, but it is serious, and there's a general feeling on the street that the Palestinian people are being screwed by everyone -- by Hamas, by Fatah, by Israel, by the U.S., by the EU, and even by Egypt and Jordan. Tune in later this week, when I write more about my excursion to Ramallah, including a conversation with a Hamas member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.

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