Israel Return of West Bank, Not Financial Props, Key to Ending Palestinian Enmity

US/UK strategy to bestow money and weapons on Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah-dominated) pursuant to the hope that if Gaza will fail under Hamas while West Bank prospers under Fatah, Palestinian opinion will switch to supporting moderates will not succeed. The problem is that many Muslims view any pro-US leader as a traitor to the cause. Musharraf and Karzai are constantly under attack for selling out to the U.S. The U.S. has made itself deeply unpopular in the Islamic world by invading Iraq and standing by Israel. Arafat had a brief honeymoon upon his return from exile to Palestine. His corrupt and repressive regime did not help. Hamas (Palestine), Hizbullah (Lebanon), Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt and Jordon) revered for being more helpful to citizens than the government hold this skeptical view. Until Israel leaves the West Bank, giving Palestine an unencumbered political entity, this view will not change. U.S. has to show that moderate Arab allies can deliver desirable results, that Abbas can govern cleanly and end the Israeli occupation. Progress toward Palestinian statehood, not money, is the only US hope for progress.