Bill H, I hardly think it's "skirting the issue". It is the issue. I've spend time reading what Palestinian women have to say on the subject. They say that if Israel would leave them alone and let them begin the process of building their country (and rebuilding their society), it would go a long way toward helping the women get the financial independence they need to begin to make societal changes. You are making broad sweeping generalizations about Muslims that do not have any basis in reality. There are Muslims who oppress women. There are also members of just about every other religion who oppress women. There are also Muslim women who are not oppressed. You're promoting bigoted stereotypes.