Natan Sharansky is one of the most prominent and persuasive advocates for spreading freedom and democracy around the world. Having been a political dissident in the former Soviet Union, and having been imprisoned in The Gulag, he has had a first-hand account of the devastating effect tyranny and despotism has. His recent argument in the Wall Street Journal states that the only way to create a successful Palestinian State is to promote freedom and democracy within that region. Newly elected Abbas must turn away from the days of Yasser Arafat, where hatred of Israel was simply used to justify the repression of the Palestinian people and the sponsorship of terrorist organizations.
As is the case with the Palestinians, the only way to ever achieve lasting success in transforming an area into a peaceful and prosperous society is to bring that area freedom and democracy.
Yeah I'm not too optimistic that much will happen over there either. Arafat spent decades teaching hate of Israel and the Palestinians have become so absorbed in that hate that it will take quite a while to undo all the damage Arafat did.
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