Disgusting

What is it about Palestinian society that its members are disposed to celebrate other people's suffering? Ariel Sharon, say what you want to about him, was very recently admitted to hospital after a minor stroke and what do the folks next door do? Why, fire a few friendly volleys and pass out the sweets, of course.


This sort of thing is known to happen after "successful" suicide attacks within Israel, with many Palestinians taking to the streets in euphoria at the deaths of Israeli civilians and the "martyrdom" of the perpetrators. And it was also party time after the World Trade Centre came crashing to the ground on September 11, 2001.

I shall leave you with a very good piece by Robert Spencer on Palestinian schadenfreude - and its acceptance by Western apologists: Sharon’s Stroke. Key passage:

Even that glorification and celebration of death, moreover, is rooted in a culture of hatred: suicide bombers are heroes not because they kill themselves but because they kill infidels as well. 9/11 and Sharon’s illness are worth celebrating because they represent more of the same: the defeat and destruction of the enemy.

The culture of death and hatred is not limited to the Palestinians: in Egypt, Sheikh Atiyyah Saqr of Al-Azhar explained in 2004 that “cowardice and love for this worldly life are undisputable traits [of the Jews].” In Lebanon, Hizballah’s Hassan Nasrallah concurred: “We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win, because they love life and we love death.” Afghan jihadist Maulana Inyadullah declared: “The Americans lead lavish lives and they are afraid of death. We are not afraid of death. The Americans love Pepsi Cola, we love death.”

In most places on the planet and at most times throughout history one who loves death has been considered at very least unbalanced. And rather than rejoicing in the misfortunes even of their enemies, Americans rebuilt Germany and Japan after World War II. Israelis did not hand our candies when Yasir Arafat died; nor do they cheer the deaths of innocent Palestinians. Personal graciousness between public opponents has for ages been a hallmark of civilization; indeed, even aides to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas wished Sharon good health.

The latest reports indicate that Sharon has recovered and will be discharged shortly.