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By Micah Halpern
Sunday January 31, 2005 Column: Iraq and the Palestinian Authority have much in common. There is a strong parallel to be drawn between the two. Both societies just had historic elections. Both societies are at a crossroads. Both societies have leaders who are courting the West and populations that are mixed in their opinion of the West. Both societies have within them a strong and vibrant terrorist element that is perceived by many as being the only path towards salvation. Terrorists defend the honor of their society. Terror cannot be put down by the masses simply by saying "no." Terrorists and those who believe in democratic principles are now, willingly or unwillingly, intentionally or not, about to begin a long debate over the principles that will guide their societies to the future. Terrorists have taken their campaign beyond the battlefield and are running a grassroots campaign. Terrorists will take their campaign to the streets. Terrorists in Iraq will argue that everything the West brings is bad. Terrorists will argue that the traditional role of women, the role of traditional family and the role of religion will be destroyed if democracy and Westernization is allowed to continue. Terrorists in Iraq will use the Palestinian model and the experience of Hamas in the Palestinian Authority and Hezbullah in Lebanon to boost their claims. Now the forces of liberty and liberalization must begin the real fight. Now the forces of liberty and liberalization must show that voting is just one small element of democracy. Now the forces of liberty and liberalization and democracy must empower the people. Iraqi and Palestinian liberal leaders must prove that they not only make promises but that they can make good on their promises. They must do it now. And we, the Western world, must help. Iraqis and the Palestinians now must stand shoulder to shoulder and assume the awesome responsibility of participating in a democracy. Otherwise it might just slip away. 4 June 2017 12:14 PM in Columns
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