In Vegas, at least, there are rules and there are limits.

Jack Engelhard Jack Engelhard’s classic international bestselling novel Indecent Proposal, which later became a worldwide hit movie, has been republished to meet readers’ demands. His other major works include Compulsive: A Novel, his award-winning post-Holocaust Montreal memoir Escape from Mount Moriah, plus Slot Attendant: A Novel About A Novelist. His website: www.jackengelhard.com More from the author ► Jack Engelhard’s classic international bestselling novel Indecent Proposal, which later became a worldwide hit movie, has been republished to meet readers’ demands. His other major works include Compulsive: A Novel, his award-winning post-Holocaust Montreal memoir Escape from Mount Moriah, plus Slot Attendant: A Novel About A Novelist. His website: www.jackengelhard.com

Yes, I am a sinner and occasionally I like to put two dollars on a horse. I know the people and have even written books on gambling. In a recent novel I touched on addicts. I offer these credentials to warn future players that there is no sorrier longshot than Gaza. This is a hopeless bet so long as the same Hamas and Palestinian Authority goons run the show.

Alas, too late.

Last week the world’s leading compulsives met in Cairo and, without checking the Past Performance chart, they put down $5.4 billion to rebuild (rearm) the joint. They can’t kick the habit, these guys and dolls – and these include Qatar, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and all of the rest of them who would have been safer in Vegas.



John Kerry offered $212 million dollars. That, plus another $200 million...Your tax dollars at work, Mr. and Mrs. America.

In Vegas there are rules and there are limits. They show you the door if you bet like a drunken sailor.

In playing the horses we check a horse’s bloodlines to make sure he comes from trustworthy and reliable stock. Not so, apparently, when it comes to Gaza.

John Kerry offered $212 million dollars. That, plus another $200 million that were earmarked earlier. Your tax dollars at work, Mr. and Mrs. America.

I doubt that these “world leaders” would be so quick to dump their own money on such a losing wager. But it is only your money they’re dumping, so what the hell.

The money is meant for Gazans to build schools and businesses, hospitals and libraries. So here is my bet. I am doubling the amount. Here on the table is my $10 billion that they will indeed build schools and businesses from which to launch rockets, hospitals from which to hide under the beds and fire away and libraries for digging terror tunnels…all aimed at the Jewish State.

Gambling addicts like all addicts need intervention, but there is no GA for United Nation types. When it comes to the Palestinian Arabs the world knows no bounds. There is no sanity in the house to sound the alarm, saying, “Are you nuts? Where are you going with all that money? Baby needs new shoes.” But the world continues to obsess over the Palestinian Arabs, no matter the cost and the waste.

This colt runs lame but they head straight for the wagering windows regardless.

In the gaming world there’s an expression that goes, “bet with your head, not over it,” but there is no end in sight for Palestinian Arab begging and neediness and Western generosity and charity. But here is a thought. Failed cultures keep failing because their cause is false and unjust. So it is with the Palestinian Arab leadership and their bogus claims.

The thugs who were offered the windfall, actually they’re the ones laughing all the way to the bank. They know the West for being suckers for lost causes, yes Gaza, but also Afghanistan and Iraq and other wastelands where we keep pouring in our blood, money and guts, all for nothing. Nothing comes back except more misery and more cries for help.

But Gaza is a special place because it is at war against Israel and the “international community” is still betting win, place and show for the Arab side.

Only a few hours ago, in a non-binding vote, the British Parliament recognized “Palestine” statehood – the gents possibly forgetting the cheers from the same “Palestine” when 52 civilians were killed in the July 7, 2005 Jihadist attack on London’s subway system. This sort of gambling plunge is known as throwing good money after bad.

For sure a smooth-talking character like Abu Mazen, smiling large, assures Kerry and his fellow high rollers that the money will go for peace.

“You are sure,” says Kerry (according to my interpretation). “I mean, we need something to make it look good, all the cash we’re handing over.”

“Sure, sure, sure. Peace, peace, peace.”

Yeah right, we say at the racetrack when we get another false tip.

Jack Engelhard writes a regular column for Arutz Sheva. Engelhard wrote the int’l bestseller Indecent Proposal that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned into a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. New from the novelist, the anti-BDS thriller Compulsive. Website: www.jackengelhard.com