Now tell me, what could possibly go wrong with this idea?
I realize this isn’t incredible generous of me but I can’t help smiling that come this fall Southern California place host to 1,300 plus Palestinians from Iraq. And may I suggest Irvine as a final destiniation spot in Southern California where the Palestinians will probably feel the most at home. Speaking as a Canadian; its a welcome change not to be playing the world’s hotel manager to this latest crop of refugees. CS Monitor gets full kudos for raising American concerns for Israeli sensitivities.
While the US generally doesn’t accept Palestinians, Todd Pierce, a spokesman for the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, says that the Iraqi population of Palestinians falls under a different category from those in Gaza and the West Bank. Each applicant will be carefully scrutinized for terrorist ties, he adds.The US reluctance to accept Palestinians is because it “doesn’t want the refugee program to become an issue in its relationship with Israel,” says a diplomat in the region, who requested anonymity because he is not cleared to talk to the press. But these Palestinians, he says, will be processed as refugees from Iraq.
While I realize its presumptuous of me to speak on the behalf of country of which I am not a member; I doubt you could find any Israeli (with the possible exception of Amira Hass like characters) who would lose any sleep over the USA opening its arms to the Palestinians, and if I could be so bold to suggest – there are plenty more to spare, and could be yours just for the asking.
