Domino democracy
The loss of one or both of their largest radical allies [Iran and Iraq] would obviously weaken extremist Palestinian forces. But [Bernard] Lewis goes beyond this to a prospect that could not seem more remote at the moment: Palestinian democracy.
"The Palestinians have two, I hesitate to use the word 'advantages,' but it will do. One is the awful experience of being ruled by a corrupt tyranny. The other is the example of a lively vibrant democracy next door. I remember being told a couple of years ago by some Jordanian professors that a number of their students are learning Hebrew. This really surprised me. I said, 'why would your students in Jordan want to learn Hebrew?' They told me that they are fascinated by Israeli television. They see these great and famous figures screaming at each other and banging the table - something like that is totally unknown in their world - and they want to know what they are saying."
No comments:
Post a Comment