When I was in college, David Horowitz tried this publicity stunt where he bought ads in school papers presenting arguments against reparations for slavery, a debate no one was actually having. The idea was that he’d serve up stuff that was blatantly offensive and then squeal censorship when editorial boards declined his ad money. Among the contentions: African-Americans ultimately benefited from slavery, since, you know, America is richer than every African country.

I thought that would be the last time I’d see an argument that vile. Lucky for me there’s George Gilder and National Review to explain why the Palestinians should be grateful for 40 years of Israeli occupation, which comes really fucking close:

[KATHRYN JEAN] LOPEZ: What do you mean these wretched refugees benefited from Israel?

GILDER: The key period was between 1967 and 1987 when the Israelis administered the territories after Arabs refused all negotiations with their famous three “nos.” The Arabs were adamant against trading “land for peace” following their defeat in the ’67 war, so Israel inherited the territories.
 
During this 20-year period under Israeli rule, some 250,000 Israelis settled in the Territories. These were the supposedly predatory settlers. They supplied the infrastructure of power, water, education, and medical care that attracted nearly ten Arab settlers for every one Israeli. During this period, the economy in the territories grew some 25 percent per year, nearly the fastest in the world, and far faster than that of Israel itself, which was still bogged down in socialism. Arab life expectancy rose from 40 to around 70. Their incomes tripled while their population soared. Seven universities and 2,500 factories were established. It was the golden age for Palestinian Arabs.

This is from someone who believes himself to hold freedom as a cardinal political value.