ENVY OF THE ARAB WORLD:

Giant Steps in Palestinians' Trip to Polls: Many taking part in the milestone election hope for change after Arafat but doubt that Abbas or any candidate can end the conflict with Israel. (Ken Ellingwood, January 9, 2005, LA Times)

"We are enthusiastic about the election because we hope there might be change," said Amal Shkeir, 30, a West Bank villager who was in Ramallah for medical tests.

Her husband, Yusef, used to be a construction worker in Israel, but that job was ended by the grinding conflict with Israel that began in 2000. These days, he snares sporadic work in the West Bank but says the family's fortunes have fallen to "zero." The couple might have to borrow to pay for Amal's CT scan to pinpoint the cause of a neurological problem.

But both said the vote had raised their aspirations. "We are not alone in being excited about the election," Amal said. "Everybody is."

has any people ever gone so quickly from victims to enviable?

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 9, 2005 9:01 AM