U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde this week reiterated his belief that economic development in Palestine is the key to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
"Right now, the Palestinian people are without hope," the Wood Dale Republican said Sunday during an appearance at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard. "All they do is throw stones, shoot guns, if they can get them, or find more people who will kill themselves for a hopeless cause."
Hyde, who is chairman of the House International Relations Committee, has spent the last several months calling for nations throughout the world, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, to invest in Palestine's private sector and help create new jobs.
The concept is similar to the Marshall Plan, the U.S. initiative that brought economic recovery to Europe after World War II.
Hyde said that if young Palestinians have jobs, they will be encouraged to stop the violence.
"The Palestinians can have a future," he said. "They can have an education for their children, employment, factories, jobs - a future."
Hyde also said that the creation of a Palestinian state is a vital part of the peace process.
"It's part of the solution," he said. "If they (the Palestinians) really want it, they are going to be willing to do something for it - and that's stop the violence."
The veteran congressman's comments on Sunday drew praise from some audience members for not pandering to the mostly Jewish crowd.
"I saw him as sensible, even humanitarian, when he talked about the Marshall Plan," said Sheldon Isenberg of Naperville. "I expected to hear more platitudes."
Naperville resident Howard Yokelson said he was impressed with Hyde's responses to questions. "I thought he was informed and candid with what he said," Yokelson said.
Hyde's appearance in Lombard was organized by West Suburban Friends of Israel, a newly formed not-for-profit group dedicated to providing information about events in the Middle East.
Hyde, 78, received a round of applause when said that he believed U.S. support for Israel is stronger now than it's ever been.
"There is a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability," said Rabbi Steven Bob of Etz Chaim. "So that strong expression of his own personal support for Israel and of strength of Congress for Israel is a pick-me-up for our community."
Earth to Mr. Hyde: the Marshall Plan came to Europe after it was decimated by World War II. It followed their near-destruction in a world war. The only reason we were in any position to offer useful aid was b/c we had recently kicked the crap out of the recipients.
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