Israel Matzav

Rethinking humanitarian aid

THE PAVLOVIAN response of sending money to societies unable to put their houses in order must therefore be questioned.

Maimonides, the great Jewish scholar of the 11th century [12th. Maimonides lived from 1135-1204 CE. CiJ], established a clear hierarchy of philanthropic acts. In his view, the most valuable philanthropic deed involves aid directed at enabling the recipient to become economically independent. His insight is validated by the history of humanitarian aid in the past century, which shows that outside economic aid is only as good as the ability of a recipient's economy and government to use it prudently and productively.

Thus it is not at all clear that sending more money to the dysfunctional Palestinian economy will do any good. After all, millions of euros transferred to the PA since the 1993 Oslo Accords have been squandered and misused.

Indeed, the Palestinian arena provides a telling example of an utterly dysfunctional welfare institution, UNRWA, whose stated goal is to set the Palestinian refugees "on the road to self-reliance and sustainable human development."

The expectation that UNRWA will help the refugees rebuild their lives and stop living on charity remains unfulfilled. Surprisingly, according to the organization's own figures, the number of refugees has grown, from hundreds of thousands in 1948 to over 4 million in 2004. These numbers indicate a colossal failure on part of UNRWA to turn the refugees into self-reliant individuals.

We know that welfare can be addictive. In the case of UNRWA, its activities have created a multi-generational dependence. UNRWA has, in fact, become the main tool for not solving the refugee issue.

UNRWA has subordinated the welfare of the people it is supposed to be helping to the political needs of Israel's enemies by ensuring that the refugees stay addicted to foreign welfare.

In the final analysis, humanitarian aid should be dispensed judiciously, while making sure that it does not preserve poverty and dependence.

Addiction can be treated in several ways. "Cold turkey" is one approach, and the Palestinians should be induced to try it.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:47 PM