Though the United Nations has declared them counter-productive and needlessly provocative and Israel has dramatically reduced its blockade, international groups continue to organize waves of flotillas to Gaza carrying various aid supplies.

One is set to sail from Lebanon at any time.

Journalist Khaled Abu Toameh wonders why the Lebanese don't do more for Palestinians living in Lebanon. In a column published by the Hudson Institute, Abu Toameh laments the lack of scrutiny on Arab states that mistreat Palestinians. Jordan has revoked the citizenship of thousands of Palestinians.

In Lebanon, "Not only are Palestinians living in Lebanon denied the right to own property, but they also do not qualify for health care, and are banned by law from working in a large number of jobs" including as journalists, doctors and lawyers.

Abu Toameh quotes Lebanese journalist Rami Khouri, who writes of the mistreatment in Arab states of "foreign guest workers, who often are treated little better than chattel or indentured laborers…The mistreatment, abysmal living conditions and limited work, social security and property rights of the Palestinians [in Lebanon] are a lingering moral black mark."

It's a black mark ignored by human rights activists and Western media, Abu Toameh argues. Lebanon's parliament just postponed action on a bill to grant Palestinians civil rights, but there's been little or no coverage of the debate. It's a double standard when compared to the intense coverage given to any Israeli policy toward Palestinians.

His column can be read here.