One of the problems which the Palestinians are facing in their way to build a real Palestinian state is their lack of experience. The Palestinian state that the [singlepic id=278 w=320 h=240 float=right] Palestinians have been asking for and working to establish is supposed to be democratic, enjoy real separation between its authorities and assure right of expression and freedom for its people.
The effect of the Israeli occupation on the minds and thought of the Palestinians made them lack a kind of professionalism in their actions and policy. Self criticism became something that is not accepted although it is one of the most important keys that should be used to find out where did the Palestinians succeed and where did they fall. Personal and political interests became a reason that stands behind many campaigns which were launched against many Palestinians only to weaken their popularity and strengthen others.
The Palestinian economy is still suffering eventhough many new buildings, companies and restaurants were established in the West Bank. The process which the Palestinians are going through is similar to the process which many other Arab countries went through. The defect in the plans which are set today to develop the Palestinian economy is that the people are not trained and educated so they can find a good employment while a few can enjoy the new opportunities which are created. The limitation and the inability to enlarge the Palestinian economy because of the Israeli control of the borders and anything else that needs permission. This does not allow the Palestinians to dream of widening their market and connecting their economy with other Arab and non-Arab states.
The Palestinian education, culture, art and history are also in danger like all the Arab cultures that are abandoned by their people. The only thing which keeps the thought of the Palestinians busy with is the duty which they consider themselves committed to in order to gain their freedom and liberate their lands. While communicating with the new generations that are supposed to be the hope of the future of the Palestinian people, it is easy to feel that they still lack professional standards in all the professions that they are employed at. It is true that if we compare the Palestinian generation of the first Intifada to today’s generation we can see a good improvement in their high education. At the same time they still lack several important things that are needed to assure a good healthy building of the associations of a future state. The first thing which is lacked is responsibility and the commitment to law and system. The reason that the Palestinians finds difficulty in accepting law and a specific system that they are supposed to work upon is their experience as revolutionists against the Israeli occupational system.
Another thing which is lacked is a true belief in the importance of sacrifice and volunteer work in order to make true achievements in the way to a Palestinian state. It is true that the Palestinian people is known for its readiness to sacrifice for the sake of gaining liberty but it is important to understand what exactly is the target that should be achieved. If we as Palestinians won’t change ourselves and stay as a model which the other Arab peoples can look at and learn from, then we will never succeed in achieving anything from the Palestinian dream that thousands sacrificed for.

Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad

A Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem, Ziad graduated from College Des Freres in Jerusalem in 2003. Ziad finished his major in International Relations and English Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ziad is a former President of the Watan student movement at the university. He is interested in Middle Eastern political issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founder of the Middle East Post and MEL (Middle East Future Leadership Network), he represents Palestinian youth at several international conferences.

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