Are Arabs Jealous of Israel?
Westerners seem to consider Middle Eastern states to be modern countries -- our peers and equals -- but are they? With one foot planted in modern thought and technology, the other seems mired in Third World mentality. It is only since World War II that many Arab states have emerged from their tribal traditions. The royal heads of state are the children and grandchildren of the tribal princes who first united their lands.
While the privileged few live in lavish decadence, many of their subjects continue to live in dire poverty without even the most basic modern conveniences. Politics still divide these countries along tribal lines, often reflecting ethnic roots and religious sectarian interests. Too many people are uneducated, particularly women. Often the only education young men receive is from the local mullah who spouts radical religious epithets in the guise of learned teaching. Many still live in small villages virtually unchanged in character from lifestyles common in the early part of the last century.
Oil catapulted these countries into the modern age. With a people uneducated, untrained and unprepared for the intricacies of modern life, many of these countries have floundered since severing ties with their former European protectors. In most countries the ruling sheiks and dictators and their privileged minions have been unwilling to share the wealth with their countrymen.
What sits in the middle of this bleak morass? Israel. A shining gem of modernity, Israel has pursued technology, education and health care for all its citizens. A truly modern state, democratic Israel is a respected, though not always well liked, member of the world community. It enjoys all the trappings of modern society but one -- peace.
When Arabs look out over their vast, dusty lands at the shining skyscrapers of Israel, perhaps their anger is directed, in part, at what Israel has accomplished but they have not.
While the privileged few live in lavish decadence, many of their subjects continue to live in dire poverty without even the most basic modern conveniences. Politics still divide these countries along tribal lines, often reflecting ethnic roots and religious sectarian interests. Too many people are uneducated, particularly women. Often the only education young men receive is from the local mullah who spouts radical religious epithets in the guise of learned teaching. Many still live in small villages virtually unchanged in character from lifestyles common in the early part of the last century.
Oil catapulted these countries into the modern age. With a people uneducated, untrained and unprepared for the intricacies of modern life, many of these countries have floundered since severing ties with their former European protectors. In most countries the ruling sheiks and dictators and their privileged minions have been unwilling to share the wealth with their countrymen.
What sits in the middle of this bleak morass? Israel. A shining gem of modernity, Israel has pursued technology, education and health care for all its citizens. A truly modern state, democratic Israel is a respected, though not always well liked, member of the world community. It enjoys all the trappings of modern society but one -- peace.
When Arabs look out over their vast, dusty lands at the shining skyscrapers of Israel, perhaps their anger is directed, in part, at what Israel has accomplished but they have not.
