All the efforts that are being exerted to extend assistance to the suffering people of Palestine are commendable. From news reports we see outpouring of material aid and even a pledge to rebuild a school. And at this time, when there is so much suffering and misery, these emergency responses are most welcome. However, rebuilt schools, hospitals,and other infrastructure that have been donated in the past years can turn to smoldering ruin in a very short time, once violence between Palestinians and Jews commence.

What drives extremism in the Palestinian territories is the lack of economic stability, compounded by the Palestinian dependence on Israel for jobs. Sooner or later the hopelessness in the Palestinian territories pushes some people to extreme behavior, provoking a response from the other side that usually starts with a blockade. The misery resulting from the blockade then cause the violence to escalate till the lives of many innocents are claimed in a never-ending cycle of hate.

What if the a wealthy Arab nation takes the lead on studying an initiative aimed at providing economic stability to the Palestinian people? This could take the form of free trade zones established inside Arab countries bordering Palestinian territories to provide steady employment for Palestinians.

I suggest that would be possible provided:

a) One moderate Arab country takes the lead in forming a coalition of Arab donor countries for this purpose.
b) That the cooperation of the Arab countries that border the Palestinian territories are gained. There are good relations between the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, so this is not impossible.
c) That this group of Arab donor countries then work with western business. If western business interests are enticed to invest, this would encourage western governments to work for guarantees and protection for the free zones.
d) That the free zone be declared a demilitarized zone as well. This may involve asking for and financing the presence of an international force to guarantee the demilitarized nature of the free zone. This may well prove to be less expensive than the cost of war, without yet considering its toll on innocent lives.

Possible advantages are:

1.Economic stability for Palestinians. This may help prevent the desperation that breeds the extreme behaviour which spark the start of violence cycles – something that no other aid plan has addressed so far.
2.Investments on the free zones can be designed to earn or at least break-even, giving a chance for Palestinians to help themselves. This would also help entice investors.
3.If guarantees are obtained, then these are donations that would not be obliterated during conflicts.
4.Products and services offered in the free zone could be selected to respond to the needs of the Arabian market.
5.Host countries would be enticed by the trade generated by these areas.

This is just a very shallow attempt made by one simple person. A proper study group can do much better.

Hope this helps.