The World Bank stated in early March 2003 that almost 2 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip live on less than $2 a day or beneath the poverty line (I guess for the area). It also goes on to blame Israeli occupation and controls for the problem.

There is no doubt that Israeli controls are affecting their economy. But Israel needs to maintain some sort of controls to reduce suicide bomber attacks on their citizens. You can't blame them for that.

Lets blame the Palestinian Authority, particularly Yasser Arafat.

I doubt that Arafat cares about Palestinian poverty and why should he? He lives well and is reported to have at least $300 million in his personal bank accounts.

A lot of people help the Palestinians. Most are well meaning Muslims who offer their money to help those less fortunate. It is their way and it is a good thing.

I might be wrong, but I don't believe they wanted any of their money to go to Arafat. He isn't poor. He isn't hungry.

Neither are his associates.

For the Palestinian Authority, there is always money for guns, bombs, bullets and rifles but none for hungry kids.

Maybe Arafat can close all of his bank accounts, secret and otherwise, and give it all to his people. It would be the right thing to do.