Thursday, June 05, 2003
Behind Blue Eyes
Before I get to the meat of this post - that the NY Times (and to a lesser degree, the Washington Post ) actively promotes the views of Arab tyrants, I found the following paragraphs interesting:
The following six paragraphs bear some examination:
Before I get to the meat of this post - that the NY Times (and to a lesser degree, the Washington Post ) actively promotes the views of Arab tyrants, I found the following paragraphs interesting:
"Israel must deal with the settlements," Mr. Bush said, a day ahead of a meeting in Jordan with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mr. Abbas at which the United States is pressing for an Israeli pledge to begin dismantling some of the more recently built outposts on occupied land. "Israel must make sure there's a continuous territory that the Palestinians can call home."The new Palestinian state will indeed be splintered. Gaza is not contiguous to Judea and Samaria. (This is another reason to oppose a PA state. A non-contiguous state is likely to be a source of instability in the region.) But I digress.
The West Bank, which with the Gaza Strip would constitute any Palestinian state, is now home to about 200,000 Jewish settlers, whose towns dot the landscape, often separating the Palestinian areas. The Palestinians have insisted that any state be largely intact, or contiguous.
Later Mr. Bush's press secretary, Ari Fleischer, confirmed that the president had meant to say "contiguous." The wording is significant because it underscores the president's agreement that no new Palestinian state could survive if splintered into two or more parts.
The following six paragraphs bear some examination:
The summit meeting today was notable for two reasons: the absence of any public statements by the Arab leaders attacking America's role as the occupying power in Iraq and the very public way they were bucking up Mr. Bush's peace efforts.
Those statements came even from the Saudis, who have criticized Mr. Bush for his refusal to have any dealings with Yasir Arafat, the longtime Palestinian leader, and who said a few weeks ago that they doubted that Mr. Bush was willing to devote his political capital to the peace effort.
A high-ranking Saudi official tonight praised Mr. Bush's efforts as "marvelous." The official said he was optimistic that the president was committed to the plan, known as the road map, for the creation of two side-by-side states, Israel and Palestine, by 2005.
The Saudi official insisted that the Arab leaders had gone further in condemning terrorism today than ever before. But he acknowledged that the hard negotiations lay ahead, starting Wednesday when Mr. Bush sees Mr. Sharon and Mr. Abbas, who is widely known as Abu Mazen.
"Peace, if it comes out, it must be desired by everybody at the same time," the official said, raising concerns about whether Mr. Sharon's professed commitment to the plan is real. "And here the Israelis have a tremendous responsibility.
"They certainly can do much damage to Mr. Abu Mazen if they so wish by keeping the condition of the Palestinians in the tragic situation it is, by showing the Palestinians that their lives are not going to be changed in spite of the fact that they are going to be led by somebody who is pursing peaceful negotiations."
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Powell's Foul
(Thanks to Malka Young for pointing this out)
In a transcript of a press conference carried on VOA makes a really offensive editorial comment:
But if Secretary Powell wishes to throw around loaded terms when will he say something about the Nazi-like propaganda of the PA and the rest of the Arab world? Consider the effect of pervasis martyr training:
Crossposted on IsraPundit2 and David's Israel Blog.
(Thanks to Malka Young for pointing this out)
In a transcript of a press conference carried on VOA makes a really offensive editorial comment:
"Contiguous means that if you're going to have a state, the people will recognize the state," he said. "And the Palestinians will say: this truly is a homeland for us. Then it has to have contiguity. It has to be connected. It has to have means of moving about within that state. So it can't be chopped up in so many ways, in some form of Bantustan, that it would not really be seen as an honest effort to provide a state for the Palestinian people."By describing a divided Palestinian state as a "Bantustan" Secretary Powell skews the debate. It's not enough for Israel to trade land for peace. It must give the PA contiguity. But Israel gave up land at great risk and great cost for seven years. It was the PA that stopped the process by refusing Barak's offer and starting an intifada. If it happens again is Israel to be judged because the PA refused its generosity? Essentially, Powell is saying that Israel's legitimacy is dependent on fulfilling this condition; else it is morally equivalent to South Africa.
But if Secretary Powell wishes to throw around loaded terms when will he say something about the Nazi-like propaganda of the PA and the rest of the Arab world? Consider the effect of pervasis martyr training:
Palestinian polls show that 72% - 80% of Palestinian children desire death as Shahids. In games and in conversation, the yearning to die for Allah is an integral component of the Palestinian child’s worldview. Children are already acting on the indoctrination – a 17-year old girl has blown herself up in a terrorist attack in a Jerusalem supermarket. 14-year-old children have written “farewell letters” to their parents, incorporating expressions from PA propaganda film-clips. In the letters they took pride in their eagerness to die as Shahids and then set out on attacks in which they did, in fact, die. Following are some examples, listed by age groups.In other words children are being taught at young ages that it is good to die killing Jews. Powell (and President Bush) should forcefully say that the United States will not stand for the creation of a state based on Nazi principles. He should not be prejudging Israel for something that may be (and has been) out of Israel's hands when he has an existing problem already.
Crossposted on IsraPundit2 and David's Israel Blog.
Goodwill Gesture
Israel made another painful concession in return for some vague promises of peace. This concession was the release of a convicted mass murderer, one Ahmad Jubarah. Glenn Frankel of the Washington Post profiles him in an article, "Israel Frees Longest-Held Palestinian" You'd think that maybe the releases were only of political prisoners from the headline. Perhaps "Israel releases mass murderer as gesture for peace" would have been more appropriate, but that would have pointed to the absurdity of Israel's situation.
Anyway our protaganist, Mr. Jubara declares:
If it weren't so perverse, it might be funny.
Crossposted on IsraPundit2 and David's Israel Blog.
Israel made another painful concession in return for some vague promises of peace. This concession was the release of a convicted mass murderer, one Ahmad Jubarah. Glenn Frankel of the Washington Post profiles him in an article, "Israel Frees Longest-Held Palestinian" You'd think that maybe the releases were only of political prisoners from the headline. Perhaps "Israel releases mass murderer as gesture for peace" would have been more appropriate, but that would have pointed to the absurdity of Israel's situation.
Anyway our protaganist, Mr. Jubara declares:
In an interview this evening, Jubarah said he hoped "to be the first ambassador for peace. We need a state beside Israel -- two states in Palestine."I'm not sure I get that. He says he wants to be for peace but that the Arabs are at war. His son tries to straighten out the contradiction:
Still, he said, he was unhappy that thousands of Palestinians remain in Israeli
prisons. As for his own act 28 years ago, he offered only a justification: "We
were in war and still we are in war." Referring to the Israelis, he said, "They
have killed many of us, in the intifada," the 32-month-old uprising in which
2,000 Palestinians and 780 Israelis have died.
"My father, he's the road map, because he believes in peace," said Reda Jubarah. When his father emerged and spoke passionately about the need for more Israeli concessions, the son tugged gently on his father's sleeve, as if willing him to sound more moderate.So if the son is right, then his father was a fighter in the 70's but now there's no war. That doesn't work either, because his father says - even after Yasser Arafat purportedly disavowed the armed struggle ten years ago - at his people are at war.
"The people at that time believed what he believed -- that it was war," said
Reda Jubarah. "Now we are new people; we're now in a different era. He did what
he did. We have to leave what happened a long time ago and begin a new life for
everybody."
If it weren't so perverse, it might be funny.
Crossposted on IsraPundit2 and David's Israel Blog.
Monday, June 02, 2003
What, me worry?
In yesterday's post Could it be I raised the possiblity that Bush shouldn't be counted out just yet. I have come to the conclusion that there is a Grand Plan afoot that Bush and Sharon agreed to during Sharon's seven trips to the White House last year. That is why Sharon is going along with the demands of the US. We are in shock that such things should be asked of Israel and that Sharon complies.
This master plan included the abandonning of the outposts and the confidence building measures such as releasing many prisoners. We have been hearing from Sharon such things as "its time to divide the land", "some settlements will have to go", "a Palestinian state is inevitable" and the "occupation" is bad. Sharon long ago agreed to these things.
Bush's plans are quite different from Clinton's. Clinton left it to the parties to come to an agreement. Didn't work. Bush will impose a settlement as agreed to with Sharon.
In order to make Sharon's path easier in selling his Cabinet on concessions needed, they leaked that they gave him a list of sanctions they would apply.
But how can America accept Mazen and Dahlan, given their backgrounds, or use terrorists in the new security apparatus or accept a temporary ceasefire as sufficient to start "kicking the can" (Powell's words) down the road. The reason is that they are in charge.
On May 25th, Debka reported
Syria has recently given a contract for oil development to an American company. The State Department has let it be known that they offered a half billion to Syria to get rid of Hezbollah and it was refused. Look for the offer to be increased and for Syria to accept. Watch for additional concessions over the coming weeks.
Russia has recently advised Iran that it would no longer supply Iran with nuclear fuel unless it agreed to intrusive inspections. It also invited the US to participate in the development of the nuclear facilities and the US turned it down. As the US continues to bring Iran to heel, it will have to decide whether to allow the Mullahs to remain in charge, as the price of a deal, or to insist that their power be significantly reduced. The Pentagon is for regime change from within.
So why is Russia cooperating so much. This is the big story. Look for Russia to become America's most important strategic ally (You heard it here first.). America did not punish Russia for its opposition to the US plans for Iraq as it is doing with France, and to a lesser degree, with Germany. The US and Russia have just announced collaberation on an oil pipelinge to carry Russian oil through the Bering sea to the US. They have much in common including a common enemy the Islamists, the war against terror, the oil and politics of the Caspian Sea and Afghanistan. Russia and the US make a great economic fit. Russia has an educated population and resources but is short of capital, whereas the US needs resources and has capital and know how. They have recently announced a signed disarmament deal.
India publicly suggesting a strategic alliance with the US and Israel. To further this along it also made peace overtures to Pakistan which America probably required. The US then allowed Israel to do two major deals with India. Keep in mind that India and Russia had a very close relationship during the cold war and Israel has a large Russian speaking population. It looks like a grand alliance in the making.
As is plain to see, Israel has a lot to gain by this master plan and is betting that it will succeed.
In yesterday's post Could it be I raised the possiblity that Bush shouldn't be counted out just yet. I have come to the conclusion that there is a Grand Plan afoot that Bush and Sharon agreed to during Sharon's seven trips to the White House last year. That is why Sharon is going along with the demands of the US. We are in shock that such things should be asked of Israel and that Sharon complies.
This master plan included the abandonning of the outposts and the confidence building measures such as releasing many prisoners. We have been hearing from Sharon such things as "its time to divide the land", "some settlements will have to go", "a Palestinian state is inevitable" and the "occupation" is bad. Sharon long ago agreed to these things.
Bush's plans are quite different from Clinton's. Clinton left it to the parties to come to an agreement. Didn't work. Bush will impose a settlement as agreed to with Sharon.
In order to make Sharon's path easier in selling his Cabinet on concessions needed, they leaked that they gave him a list of sanctions they would apply.
But how can America accept Mazen and Dahlan, given their backgrounds, or use terrorists in the new security apparatus or accept a temporary ceasefire as sufficient to start "kicking the can" (Powell's words) down the road. The reason is that they are in charge.
On May 25th, Debka reported
When US secretary of state Colin Powell announced Friday, May 23, that a team of American “coordinators”, would be arriving in Jerusalem within a few days, he was speaking euphemistically. This team will be the nucleus of an interim administration to manage Palestinian areas where the Palestinian Authority’s administraton has been shattered by its terror orientation. This body will resemble the US-British team provisionally administering Iraq, for which Washington expects to eventually gain a similar UN mandate.The same Debka article reports that Sharon was offered even more inducement than this including.
One outcome of this mandate will be to eliminate the European mark on the Israel-Palestinian peace process and the Palestinians’ future. This will be in keeping with Israel’s consistent rejection of the Palestinian demand for an international commission to monitor the Palestinian-Israeli peace. The only mediating or monitoring party Israel has ever accepted is the United States. The Europeans and UN are accused of pro-Palestinian, pro-Arab bias.
America’s systematic disarmament of Israel’s most dangerous enemies has been built into the Bush master-plan – Iraq first; shortly, an attempt to dissolve Iran’s nuclear weapons option (see separate article on this page), followed by steps to eliminate Syria’s missile systems and weapons of mass destruction and the Hizballah’s military capabilities. In the long term, Washington will almost certainly aim at cutting short the development of Egyptian and Libyan N-bombs.So how is the master plan going? America seems to have backed off with their threats and pressure on both Syria and Iran, but that doesn't mean they have been unsuccessfull. This often happens so that concessions by the other side do not appear to have been forced.
The United States is sweeping all these threats from its borders without Israel needing to deploy a single soldier or fire a single shot. For this saving of Israeli military life and limb, no words can do ample justice. Without any expenditure of its own military and economic resources, Israel may find itself in three or four years liberated from all its next-door enemies for the first time in its history.
Syria has recently given a contract for oil development to an American company. The State Department has let it be known that they offered a half billion to Syria to get rid of Hezbollah and it was refused. Look for the offer to be increased and for Syria to accept. Watch for additional concessions over the coming weeks.
Russia has recently advised Iran that it would no longer supply Iran with nuclear fuel unless it agreed to intrusive inspections. It also invited the US to participate in the development of the nuclear facilities and the US turned it down. As the US continues to bring Iran to heel, it will have to decide whether to allow the Mullahs to remain in charge, as the price of a deal, or to insist that their power be significantly reduced. The Pentagon is for regime change from within.
So why is Russia cooperating so much. This is the big story. Look for Russia to become America's most important strategic ally (You heard it here first.). America did not punish Russia for its opposition to the US plans for Iraq as it is doing with France, and to a lesser degree, with Germany. The US and Russia have just announced collaberation on an oil pipelinge to carry Russian oil through the Bering sea to the US. They have much in common including a common enemy the Islamists, the war against terror, the oil and politics of the Caspian Sea and Afghanistan. Russia and the US make a great economic fit. Russia has an educated population and resources but is short of capital, whereas the US needs resources and has capital and know how. They have recently announced a signed disarmament deal.
India publicly suggesting a strategic alliance with the US and Israel. To further this along it also made peace overtures to Pakistan which America probably required. The US then allowed Israel to do two major deals with India. Keep in mind that India and Russia had a very close relationship during the cold war and Israel has a large Russian speaking population. It looks like a grand alliance in the making.
As is plain to see, Israel has a lot to gain by this master plan and is betting that it will succeed.
Israel has much to be proud of
Would someone please explain to me why a country with the qualities described below, and many other positive qualities, is entirely and totally pissed on by the rest of the world on a regular basis? Doesn't say much for the world, does it?
Israel: Diverse, Creative, and Free
Israel, the 100th smallest country, with less than 1/1000th of the world's population, can make claim to the following:
Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.
Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin - 109 per 10,000 people - as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.
In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the largest number of startup companies than any other country in the world, except the US (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech).
Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the US.
Outside the United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ listed companies.
Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the UK.
With an aerial arsenal of over 250 F-16s, Israel has the largest fleet of the aircraft outside of the US.
Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined.
On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech start-ups.
Israel has the largest raptor migration in the world, with hundreds of thousands of African birds of prey crossing as they fan out into Asia.
Twenty-four percent of Israel's workforce holds university degrees - ranking third in the industrialized world, after the United States and Holland - and 12 percent hold advanced degrees.
Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East.
In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel.
When Gold Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's second elected female leader in modern times.
When the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya was bombed in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were on the scene within a day - and saved three victims from the rubble.
Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship - and the highest rate among women and among people over 55 - in the world.
Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
Israel was the first nation in the world to adopt the Kimberly process, an international standard that certifies diamonds as "conflict free."
According to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security. U.S. officials now look to Israel for advice on how to handle airborne security threats.
Israel's Maccabi basketball team won the European championships in 2001.
Israeli tennis player Anna Smashnova is the 15th ranked female player in the world.
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was produced by Haim Saban, an Israeli whose family fled persecution in Egypt.
In 1991, during the Gulf War, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played a concert wearing gas masks as scud missiles fired by Saddam Hussein fell on Tel Aviv.
Israel has the world's second highest per capita number of new books published per year.
Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees.
Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.
Israel has two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic.
Medicine
Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.
An Israeli company developed a computerized system for ensuring proper administration of medications, thus removing human error from medical treatment. Every year in U.S. hospitals 7,000 patients die from treatment mistakes.
Israel's Givun imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Used the view the small intestine from the inside, the camera helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders.
Researchers in Israel developed a new device that directly helps the heart pump blood, an innovation with the potential to save lives among those with congestive heart failure. The new device is synchronized with the heart's mechanical operations through a sophisticated system of sensors.
Technology
With more than 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups, Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley).
In response to serious water shortages, Israeli engineers and agriculturalists developed a revolutionary drip irrigation system to minimize the amount of water used to grow crops.
Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita.
Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the U.S., over 70 in Japan, and less than 60 in Germany. With over 25% of its work force employed in technical professions. Israel places first in this category as well.
The cell phone was developed in Israel by Motorola, which has its largest development center in Israel.
Most of the Windows NT operating system was developed by Microsoft-Israel.
The Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel.
Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the US in Israel.
The technology for AOL Instant Messenger was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis.
A new acne treatment developed in Israel, the ClearLight device, produces a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct - all without damaging surroundings skin or tissue.
An Israeli company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant, in southern California's Mojave desert.
The first PC anti-virus software was developed in Israel in 1979.
And don't forget the highest number of Nobel winners by a wide margin
Would someone please explain to me why a country with the qualities described below, and many other positive qualities, is entirely and totally pissed on by the rest of the world on a regular basis? Doesn't say much for the world, does it?
Israel: Diverse, Creative, and Free
Israel, the 100th smallest country, with less than 1/1000th of the world's population, can make claim to the following:
Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.
Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin - 109 per 10,000 people - as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.
In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the largest number of startup companies than any other country in the world, except the US (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech).
Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the US.
Outside the United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ listed companies.
Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the UK.
With an aerial arsenal of over 250 F-16s, Israel has the largest fleet of the aircraft outside of the US.
Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined.
On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech start-ups.
Israel has the largest raptor migration in the world, with hundreds of thousands of African birds of prey crossing as they fan out into Asia.
Twenty-four percent of Israel's workforce holds university degrees - ranking third in the industrialized world, after the United States and Holland - and 12 percent hold advanced degrees.
Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East.
In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel.
When Gold Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's second elected female leader in modern times.
When the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya was bombed in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were on the scene within a day - and saved three victims from the rubble.
Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship - and the highest rate among women and among people over 55 - in the world.
Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
Israel was the first nation in the world to adopt the Kimberly process, an international standard that certifies diamonds as "conflict free."
According to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security. U.S. officials now look to Israel for advice on how to handle airborne security threats.
Israel's Maccabi basketball team won the European championships in 2001.
Israeli tennis player Anna Smashnova is the 15th ranked female player in the world.
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was produced by Haim Saban, an Israeli whose family fled persecution in Egypt.
In 1991, during the Gulf War, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played a concert wearing gas masks as scud missiles fired by Saddam Hussein fell on Tel Aviv.
Israel has the world's second highest per capita number of new books published per year.
Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees.
Israel has more museums per capita than any other country.
Israel has two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic.
Medicine
Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.
An Israeli company developed a computerized system for ensuring proper administration of medications, thus removing human error from medical treatment. Every year in U.S. hospitals 7,000 patients die from treatment mistakes.
Israel's Givun imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Used the view the small intestine from the inside, the camera helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders.
Researchers in Israel developed a new device that directly helps the heart pump blood, an innovation with the potential to save lives among those with congestive heart failure. The new device is synchronized with the heart's mechanical operations through a sophisticated system of sensors.
Technology
With more than 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups, Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley).
In response to serious water shortages, Israeli engineers and agriculturalists developed a revolutionary drip irrigation system to minimize the amount of water used to grow crops.
Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita.
Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the U.S., over 70 in Japan, and less than 60 in Germany. With over 25% of its work force employed in technical professions. Israel places first in this category as well.
The cell phone was developed in Israel by Motorola, which has its largest development center in Israel.
Most of the Windows NT operating system was developed by Microsoft-Israel.
The Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel.
Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the US in Israel.
The technology for AOL Instant Messenger was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis.
A new acne treatment developed in Israel, the ClearLight device, produces a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct - all without damaging surroundings skin or tissue.
An Israeli company was the first to develop and install a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant, in southern California's Mojave desert.
The first PC anti-virus software was developed in Israel in 1979.
And don't forget the highest number of Nobel winners by a wide margin
Could it be?
On April 27, 2003, Debka reported
On May 28, Jacob Timmerman the senior editor of Insight Magazine the sister publication of the Washington Times, confirmed the Debka story about the pressure on Syria
But let's not count him out just yet or Israel too for that matter. It may be that he is just getting Israel to set the stage for enormous American pressure on the Palestinians, Syria and Iran in accordance with his words quoted above. His tough demands on Israel justify his tough demands on the Arabs. We will soon know. It may also be a sign that America intends to succeed with the heavy hand approach in dismantling the terror infrastructure so are saying to Sharon do it in advance, we will deliver.
Keep in mind that final issues aren't to be debated until the terror infrastucture has been entirely eliminated. Then Israel is entitled to force their demands on the Arabs who won't be able to resort to terror as an instrument of diplomacy. Hey I am getting carried away with myself. One thing at a time.
On April 27, 2003, Debka reported
Washington’s real, updated Middle East road map, the one guiding its current policies, is thus revealed. Clearly, Abu Mazen will not be let off more lightly than Bashar Assad. This does not mean that Israel will escape demands for concessions, even painful ones, but not before the blight of terror is seriously addressed by the two Arab regimes. The Syrian president must take tough action against the Hizballah, as well as the Jihad Islami, Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups headquartered in Damascus; the Palestinian prime minister and his government will be required to actively beat down the Fatah, the Al Aqsa Brigades as well as the Jihad Islami and Hamas organizations in Palestinian areas. Assad will not be let off the hook. If the Palestinian “reformists” fail, they will be denied US backing for Palestinian independence and statehood. The Bush administration did not extinguish Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror in order to tolerate and treat with terror-sponsoring regimes in Damascus and Ramallah. If that message does not register, then another two regime changes lie ahead.On May 10, 2003, Debka reported
After undergoing several metamorphoses since its formulation by the Quartet, the Middle East road map looks rather like a skimpy blanket pulled over Ariel Sharon, Colin Powell, Bashar Assad, Abu Mazen and Yasser Arafat while each keeps to his own bed. Saturday, May 10, the blanket was whisked away, draining of its structural content the heralded visit by US secretary of state Powell to Israel and the Palestinians. Correspondingly, the regional context of his trip swelled in importance, its focus switching from the Israel-Palestinian conflict over to US relations with Iran, Syria and Lebanon – a higher priority in the post-Iraq war period.Much has happened since then to suggest that the Israel Palestinian conflict is back on the front burner and that America has backed off somewhat in the pressure it was applying to both Syria and Iran.
This switch generated the Bush administration’s decision, as leaked in Washington Saturday, to put aside the road map for now and press instead for Israeli and Palestinian steps to ease the tensions between them.
On May 28, Jacob Timmerman the senior editor of Insight Magazine the sister publication of the Washington Times, confirmed the Debka story about the pressure on Syria
The May 3 meeting in the presidential palace on the hilltop overlooking Damascus was short and to the point. Secretary of State Colin Powell, flanked by State Department Arabists, told Syrian dictator Bashar Assad that the U.S. victory in Iraq had changed the way America plans to do business in the Middle East. The days of the cozy deals and of winking and nodding at Syrian support for terrorism were ended. He then presented Assad with a list of U.S. demands that was nothing short of breathtaking.In my April article Perfecting the Unifying theory I quoted from Bush's June speech of last year
Every nation actually committed to peace will stop the flow of money, equipment and recruits to terrorist groups seeking the destruction of Israel -- including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. Every nation actually committed to peace must block the shipment of Iranian supplies to these groups, and oppose regimes that promote terror, like Iraq. And Syria must choose the right side in the war on terror by closing terrorist camps and expelling terrorist organizations.Then concluded
Those of us who vigorously oppose the Road Map and the Quartet’s involvement view these things in the context of the present Middle East. Bush on the other hand sees them in the context of a new Middle East.What has destablized everyone lately, myself included, is that Bush has demanded enormous concessions from Israel before any actions on the part of Palestinians, Syria or Iran to do their part. It seems like he is betraying Israel and he might be. As of June 2nd, we learn that Sharon is being asked to release over 1200 prisoners and dismantle over 100 outposts. all for a partial ceasefire. Incredible.
The vision of two states is part of a larger vision of a peaceful Middle East. There won’t be the first without the latter.
But let's not count him out just yet or Israel too for that matter. It may be that he is just getting Israel to set the stage for enormous American pressure on the Palestinians, Syria and Iran in accordance with his words quoted above. His tough demands on Israel justify his tough demands on the Arabs. We will soon know. It may also be a sign that America intends to succeed with the heavy hand approach in dismantling the terror infrastructure so are saying to Sharon do it in advance, we will deliver.
Keep in mind that final issues aren't to be debated until the terror infrastucture has been entirely eliminated. Then Israel is entitled to force their demands on the Arabs who won't be able to resort to terror as an instrument of diplomacy. Hey I am getting carried away with myself. One thing at a time.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
What we are up against
Even though IsraPundit articles reach a huge readership, the audience seem to consist mainly of the already converterd. Letter to the editors of mainstream papers, on the other hand, have the advantage of reaching people who are not yet entirely supportive of Israel. For this reason I attach great importance to getting letters to the editor published, and I try to do my share.
The object of this piece is to present an exchange of letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen (a leading daily in Canada's capital), in which I was involved. The first item, is an anti-Israel letter by Stuart Ross, published on May 21, 2003. Upon reading it, I immediately sent a reply, which was published in today's [27 May 2003] Citizen; next to this letter, the Citizen ran an anti-Israel letter by Christopher Leadbeater [I'm not making this name up], of Hailey, England. Trust the Brits to find one of theirs to send an anti-Israel letter to the Ottawa Citizen, thousands of miles away - now, that's dedication!
In drafting my letter I was constrained not only by the word count (300 words, max), but also by the need to focus on only one
or two issues, rather than provide a broad rebuttal. It seems to me that it was prudent to underscore that the Arabs in Yesha want neither a state nor peace - they want to see Israel destroyed. Since I was able to add one more point, I selected to ridicule the myth of the “weak Palestinians”, a myth which seems to appeal to Westerners.
Note that the letter headings, given below in bold font, are assigned by the Citizen’s editors, not by the authors of the letters.
Letter 1, 21 May 2003, by Stuart Ross
Back to IsraPundit.
Even though IsraPundit articles reach a huge readership, the audience seem to consist mainly of the already converterd. Letter to the editors of mainstream papers, on the other hand, have the advantage of reaching people who are not yet entirely supportive of Israel. For this reason I attach great importance to getting letters to the editor published, and I try to do my share.
The object of this piece is to present an exchange of letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen (a leading daily in Canada's capital), in which I was involved. The first item, is an anti-Israel letter by Stuart Ross, published on May 21, 2003. Upon reading it, I immediately sent a reply, which was published in today's [27 May 2003] Citizen; next to this letter, the Citizen ran an anti-Israel letter by Christopher Leadbeater [I'm not making this name up], of Hailey, England. Trust the Brits to find one of theirs to send an anti-Israel letter to the Ottawa Citizen, thousands of miles away - now, that's dedication!
In drafting my letter I was constrained not only by the word count (300 words, max), but also by the need to focus on only one
or two issues, rather than provide a broad rebuttal. It seems to me that it was prudent to underscore that the Arabs in Yesha want neither a state nor peace - they want to see Israel destroyed. Since I was able to add one more point, I selected to ridicule the myth of the “weak Palestinians”, a myth which seems to appeal to Westerners.
Note that the letter headings, given below in bold font, are assigned by the Citizen’s editors, not by the authors of the letters.
Letter 1, 21 May 2003, by Stuart Ross
Mideast road map will fail becauseLetter 2, 27 May 2003, Joseph Alexander Norland
it leaves Israel in driver's seat
The Middle East road map proposed by the Americans will not lead
to peace between the Arabs and the Jews, despite its good
intentions.
I am neither an Arab nor a Jew. I think I am objective about this
proposal. It falls because one side wins: The Israelis have so many
advantages and so much strength while the Palestinians have so few
things going for them and are so weak.
A "just" solution is difficult to find between these extremes.
The American position appears to be a product of the Zionist lobby,
both Jewish and fundamental Christian.
Like most of my generation, I am sympathetic toward Israel. The
horrors that the Jewish people endured in the Second World War more
than justified the creation of Israel.
But I failed to think about the people who lived there and who have
been there for generations. What has been done to the Palestinians
in the last few decades has altered my feelings. The situation
between the Arabs and the Israelis is the most difficult problem
facing Western civilization.
The Americans are to be applauded for trying to find a solution,
but the road map will not lead to a solution, as it proposes
approaches that favour the state of Israel.
Both sides have to win if peace has any chance, and that means
the Palestinian population outside Israel has to return. A true
compromise is needed from the two peoples, but if Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon is already obstinate about the West Bank
settlements, what real hope is there that a more equitable position
can be found?
New leadership is needed by both sides and within both states.
The representatives of both peoples show no flexibility or humanity.
It will get a lot worse before desirable changes occur. That means
more terror before the bombs and the security attempts are discarded
and a compromise found.
Stuart Ross, Ottawa
Palestinian have no interest in peace with IsraelLetter 3, , 27 May 2003, Christopher Leadbeater
Re. Mideest road map will fail because it leaves Israel in driver's seat, May 21.
Letter-writer Stuart Ross predicts the failure of the "road map,"
and blames Israel.
This view ignores that within a 48-hour period starting on May
17, Arab terrorists murdered 12 Israelis in five attacks. The
terrorist actions began even as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
was meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian prime minister.
Is that how the Palestinians intend to set the stage for the. mad
map to succeed?
Mr. Abbas has rejected calls to disarm the armed terrorist gangs,
including Hamas, This explicitly negates the speech by U.S.
President George W. Bush of June 24 2002, upon which the road map
is predicated. And Mr. Abbas has rejected Israel's demand to
renounce the "right of return", which is a coded term for the
destruction of Israel.
The Palestinians have had numerous opportunities to create a
state by peaceful means, but have rejected all proposals because
their true aim is the destruction of Israel.
SpecifiCally, in July 2000, then-Israli premier Ehud Barak made
the most generous offer possible, but PLO leader
Yasser Arafat walked away from the offer.
It was this fact that jolted me personally into researching the
Mideast conundrum; two years after I began my research, I found
myself converted into a staunch supporter of Israel.
Mr. Ross is also wrong that the Palestinlans "are so weak". How
can anyone perceive of the Palestinians as "weak" when 280 million
Arabs stand solidly behind them, together with an endless sea of
petrodollars, and the unqualifled support of most of the 1.2 billion
Muslims, the Europeal Union, Russia, China and the United Nations?
The. Palestinian "weaknes" is another myth perpetrated by Arab
propaganda and swallowed by gullible westerners.
Joseph Alexander Norland, Ottawa
Flouting the law
Stuart Ross is right in his conclusion but wrong in the
reasoning.
Of course, it is impossible for any peace process to work where
Israel has any right of veto, or matters are left to negotiation
between the parties, mighty Israel and impotent Palestine. Because
there is no chance of any voluntary agreement, a settlement has to
be imposed by the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the
European Union -- but imposed on a basis that satisfies justice and
international law, not a basis that panders to Israeli claims and
myths.
The problem is the continuing moral and intellectual dishonesty of
the United States, and the failure of the international community
to stand up to bullying by both the U.S. and Israel, preferring to
pretend that the problem comes from Palestinian violence, which is
much less a factor than Israeli violence.
In reality, the problem is Israel's refusal, even after 50 years,
to abide by international law, preferring the continued stealing of
Palestinian land over peace.
The world has to help U.S. President George W. Bush find the
courage to compel Israel to comply with the law.
Christopher Leadbeater, Hailey, England
Back to IsraPundit.
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
PR Wars
In its editorials, the Ottawa Citizen is strongly supportive of Israel, even if this support is often obviated by reproducing news stories from Reuters and AP. I find it very instructive to read the paper’s editorials because they represent the brainchild of people who should know the PR world inside out.
Here is a good example. On Saturday, May 24, 2003, the Citizen ran an editorial entitled, “A starting point for peace”. In spelling out the hurdles facing the Roadmap, the editorial underscores the fact that the real objective of the “Palestinians” is the destruction of Israel. Indeed, of all the arguments (i) against implementing the Roadmap now, (ii) against the Roadmap in general, and (iii) against the creation of a sovereign “Palestine”, I find this argument to be the most compelling. The PR-savvy Citizen puts it thus:
In tomorrow’s post I will reproduce an exchange of letter to the editor, in which I was involved. Like the Citizen, I chose to concentrate on this one argument, selected from among scores of others. My point is, that we should learn from the pros and try to get out the most essential message in plain, forceful terms, even if we know that our quiver includes many, many more
arguments.
In its editorials, the Ottawa Citizen is strongly supportive of Israel, even if this support is often obviated by reproducing news stories from Reuters and AP. I find it very instructive to read the paper’s editorials because they represent the brainchild of people who should know the PR world inside out.
Here is a good example. On Saturday, May 24, 2003, the Citizen ran an editorial entitled, “A starting point for peace”. In spelling out the hurdles facing the Roadmap, the editorial underscores the fact that the real objective of the “Palestinians” is the destruction of Israel. Indeed, of all the arguments (i) against implementing the Roadmap now, (ii) against the Roadmap in general, and (iii) against the creation of a sovereign “Palestine”, I find this argument to be the most compelling. The PR-savvy Citizen puts it thus:
The Roadmap will lead nowhere so long as the destruction of one party remains a non-negotiable objective of the other.Simple, straightforward and worthy of being emulated.
In tomorrow’s post I will reproduce an exchange of letter to the editor, in which I was involved. Like the Citizen, I chose to concentrate on this one argument, selected from among scores of others. My point is, that we should learn from the pros and try to get out the most essential message in plain, forceful terms, even if we know that our quiver includes many, many more
arguments.
Monday, May 26, 2003
Text of the Israel's "14 Comments" to the Roadmap
Following is the text of the 14 comments made by the Israeli government regarding the Roadmap. The text is appended to the cabinet's decision of Black Sunday, 25 May 2003, to accept the Roadmap (i.e., to cave to US pressure). The text is unofficial in the sense that it is still withheld by the government of Israel; it has been published, however, by IMRA, from which the text is reproduced verbatim et literatim.
The Roadmap: Primary Themes of Israel's Remarks
1. Both at the commencement of and during the process, and as a condition to
its continuance. calm will be maintained. The Palestinians will dismantle
the existing security organizations and implement security reforms during
the course of which new organizations will be formed and act to combat
terror, violence and incitement (incitement must cease immediately and the
Palestinian Authority must educate for peace). These organizations will
engage in genuine prevention of terror and violence through arrests,
interrogations, prevention and the enforcement of the legal groundwork for
investigations, prosecution and punishment. In the first phase of the plan
and as a condition for progress to the second phase, the Palestinians will
complete the dismantling of terrorist organizations (Hamas. Islamic Jihad.
the Popular Front, the Democratic Front Al-Aqsa Brigades and other
apparatuses) and their infrastructure, collection of all illegal weapons and
their transfer to a third party for the sake of being removed from the area
and destroyed., cessation of weapons smuggling and weapons production inside
the Palestinian Authority, activation of the full prevention apparatus and
cessation of incitement. There will be no progress to the second phase
without the fulfillment of all above-mentioned conditions relating to the
war against terror. The security plans to be implemented are the Tenet and
Zinni plans. [As in the other mutual frameworks. the Roadmap will not state
that Israel must cease violence and incitement against the Palestinians].
2. Full performance will be a condition for progress between phases and for
progress within phases. The first condition for progress will be the
complete cessation of terror, violence and incitement. Progress between
phases will come only following the full implementation of the preceding
phase. Attention will be paid not to timelines, but to performance
benchmarks (timelines will serve only as reference points).
3. The emergence of a new and different leadership in the Palestinian
Authority within the framework of governmental reform. The formation of a
new leadership constitutes a condition for progress to the second phase of
the plan. In this framework, elections will be conducted for the Palestinian
Legislative Council following coordination with Israel.
4. The Monitoring mechanism will be under American management. The chief
verification activity will concentrate upon the creation of another
Palestinian entity and progress in the civil reform process within the
Palestinian Authority. Verification will be performed exclusively on a
professional basis and per issue (economic, legal, financial) without the
existence of a combined or unified mechanism. Substantive decisions will
remain in the hands of both parties.
5. The character of the provisional Palestinian state will be determined
through negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The
provisional state will have provisional borders and certain aspects of
sovereignty, be fully demilitarized with no military forces, but only with
police and internal security forces of limited scope and armaments, be
without the authority to undertake defense alliances or military
cooperation, and Israeli control over the entry and exit of all persons and
cargo, as well as of its air space and electromagnetic spectrum.
6. In connection to both the introductory statements and the final
settlement, declared references must be made to Israel's right to exist as a
Jewish state and to the waiver of any right of return for Palestinian
refugees to the State of Israel.
7. End of the process will lead to the end of all claims and not only the
end of the conflict.
8. The future settlement will be reached through agreement and direct
negotiations between the two parties, in accordance with the vision outlined
by President Bush in his 24 June address.
9. There will be no involvement with issues pertaining to the final
settlement. Among issues not to be discussed: settlement in Judea, Samaria
and Gaza (excluding a settlement freeze and illegal outposts), the status of
the Palestinian Authority and its institutions in Jerusalem, and all other
matters whose substance relates to the final settlement.
10. The removal of references other than 242 and 338 (1397, the Saudi
Initiative and the Arab Initiative adopted in Beirut). A settlement based
upon the Roadmap will be an autonomous settlement that derives its validity
therefrom. The only possible reference should be to Resolutions 242 and 338,
and then only as an outline for the conduct of future negotiations on a
permanent settlement.
11. Promotion of the reform process in the Palestinian Authority: a
transitional Palestinian constitution will be composed, a Palestinian legal
infrastructure will be constructed and cooperation with Israel in this field
will be renewed. In the economic sphere: international efforts to
rehabilitate the Palestinian economy will continue. In the financial sphere:
the American-Israeli-Palestinian agreement will be implemented in full as a
condition for the continued transfer of tax revenues.
12. The deployment of IDF forces along the September 2000 lines will be
subject to the stipulation of Article 4 (absolute quiet) and will be carried
out in keeping with changes to be required by the nature of the new
circumstances and needs created thereby. Emphasis will be placed on the
division of responsibilities and civilian authority as in September 2000,
and not on the position of forces on the ground at that time.
13. Subject to security conditions, Israel will work to restore Palestinian
life to normal: promote the economic situation, cultivation of commercial
connections, encouragement and assistance for the activities of recognized
humanitarian agencies. No reference will be made to the Bertini Report as
a binding source document within the framework of the humanitarian issue.
14. Arab states will assist the process through the condemnation of
terrorist activity. No link will be established between the Palestinian
track and other tracks (Syrian-Lebanese).
Following is the text of the 14 comments made by the Israeli government regarding the Roadmap. The text is appended to the cabinet's decision of Black Sunday, 25 May 2003, to accept the Roadmap (i.e., to cave to US pressure). The text is unofficial in the sense that it is still withheld by the government of Israel; it has been published, however, by IMRA, from which the text is reproduced verbatim et literatim.
The Roadmap: Primary Themes of Israel's Remarks
1. Both at the commencement of and during the process, and as a condition to
its continuance. calm will be maintained. The Palestinians will dismantle
the existing security organizations and implement security reforms during
the course of which new organizations will be formed and act to combat
terror, violence and incitement (incitement must cease immediately and the
Palestinian Authority must educate for peace). These organizations will
engage in genuine prevention of terror and violence through arrests,
interrogations, prevention and the enforcement of the legal groundwork for
investigations, prosecution and punishment. In the first phase of the plan
and as a condition for progress to the second phase, the Palestinians will
complete the dismantling of terrorist organizations (Hamas. Islamic Jihad.
the Popular Front, the Democratic Front Al-Aqsa Brigades and other
apparatuses) and their infrastructure, collection of all illegal weapons and
their transfer to a third party for the sake of being removed from the area
and destroyed., cessation of weapons smuggling and weapons production inside
the Palestinian Authority, activation of the full prevention apparatus and
cessation of incitement. There will be no progress to the second phase
without the fulfillment of all above-mentioned conditions relating to the
war against terror. The security plans to be implemented are the Tenet and
Zinni plans. [As in the other mutual frameworks. the Roadmap will not state
that Israel must cease violence and incitement against the Palestinians].
2. Full performance will be a condition for progress between phases and for
progress within phases. The first condition for progress will be the
complete cessation of terror, violence and incitement. Progress between
phases will come only following the full implementation of the preceding
phase. Attention will be paid not to timelines, but to performance
benchmarks (timelines will serve only as reference points).
3. The emergence of a new and different leadership in the Palestinian
Authority within the framework of governmental reform. The formation of a
new leadership constitutes a condition for progress to the second phase of
the plan. In this framework, elections will be conducted for the Palestinian
Legislative Council following coordination with Israel.
4. The Monitoring mechanism will be under American management. The chief
verification activity will concentrate upon the creation of another
Palestinian entity and progress in the civil reform process within the
Palestinian Authority. Verification will be performed exclusively on a
professional basis and per issue (economic, legal, financial) without the
existence of a combined or unified mechanism. Substantive decisions will
remain in the hands of both parties.
5. The character of the provisional Palestinian state will be determined
through negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The
provisional state will have provisional borders and certain aspects of
sovereignty, be fully demilitarized with no military forces, but only with
police and internal security forces of limited scope and armaments, be
without the authority to undertake defense alliances or military
cooperation, and Israeli control over the entry and exit of all persons and
cargo, as well as of its air space and electromagnetic spectrum.
6. In connection to both the introductory statements and the final
settlement, declared references must be made to Israel's right to exist as a
Jewish state and to the waiver of any right of return for Palestinian
refugees to the State of Israel.
7. End of the process will lead to the end of all claims and not only the
end of the conflict.
8. The future settlement will be reached through agreement and direct
negotiations between the two parties, in accordance with the vision outlined
by President Bush in his 24 June address.
9. There will be no involvement with issues pertaining to the final
settlement. Among issues not to be discussed: settlement in Judea, Samaria
and Gaza (excluding a settlement freeze and illegal outposts), the status of
the Palestinian Authority and its institutions in Jerusalem, and all other
matters whose substance relates to the final settlement.
10. The removal of references other than 242 and 338 (1397, the Saudi
Initiative and the Arab Initiative adopted in Beirut). A settlement based
upon the Roadmap will be an autonomous settlement that derives its validity
therefrom. The only possible reference should be to Resolutions 242 and 338,
and then only as an outline for the conduct of future negotiations on a
permanent settlement.
11. Promotion of the reform process in the Palestinian Authority: a
transitional Palestinian constitution will be composed, a Palestinian legal
infrastructure will be constructed and cooperation with Israel in this field
will be renewed. In the economic sphere: international efforts to
rehabilitate the Palestinian economy will continue. In the financial sphere:
the American-Israeli-Palestinian agreement will be implemented in full as a
condition for the continued transfer of tax revenues.
12. The deployment of IDF forces along the September 2000 lines will be
subject to the stipulation of Article 4 (absolute quiet) and will be carried
out in keeping with changes to be required by the nature of the new
circumstances and needs created thereby. Emphasis will be placed on the
division of responsibilities and civilian authority as in September 2000,
and not on the position of forces on the ground at that time.
13. Subject to security conditions, Israel will work to restore Palestinian
life to normal: promote the economic situation, cultivation of commercial
connections, encouragement and assistance for the activities of recognized
humanitarian agencies. No reference will be made to the Bertini Report as
a binding source document within the framework of the humanitarian issue.
14. Arab states will assist the process through the condemnation of
terrorist activity. No link will be established between the Palestinian
track and other tracks (Syrian-Lebanese).
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Adding insult to injury
Synopsis
The US is preparing to stab Israel in the back - again.
Following brutal US pressure, Israel was forced to accept the Roadmap on Black Sunday, May 25, 2003. This handed the terrorists in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) a triple victory: (i) Israel recognized the creation of a sovereign "Palesine" by 2005, without getting anything in return, not even renunciation of the "right of return"; (ii) the framework for creating "Palestine" was internationalized and utterly ignored Israel's concerns; and (iii) the procedures for creating "Palestine" were set in motion without the "Palestinians" having stopped the continual violence.
And now, to add insult to injury, the US is preparing an international conference in which Israel will most assuredly be isolated, even as the Arab terrorists in Yesha continue their terrorist attacks, Arafat tightens his grip over the PA, and Syria continues to back Hizbullah.
...And now, the details
The news about the new US plan to stab Israel in the back was revealed by Ha'Aretz, in a news story posted on May 25, 2003, under the heading, Sharon, Abbas to meet within days; plans for Bush trip:
(1) In an article entitled, Palestinians fire at IDF force in southern Gaza Strip , JPost reports:
Back to IsraPundit.
Synopsis
The US is preparing to stab Israel in the back - again.
Following brutal US pressure, Israel was forced to accept the Roadmap on Black Sunday, May 25, 2003. This handed the terrorists in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) a triple victory: (i) Israel recognized the creation of a sovereign "Palesine" by 2005, without getting anything in return, not even renunciation of the "right of return"; (ii) the framework for creating "Palestine" was internationalized and utterly ignored Israel's concerns; and (iii) the procedures for creating "Palestine" were set in motion without the "Palestinians" having stopped the continual violence.
And now, to add insult to injury, the US is preparing an international conference in which Israel will most assuredly be isolated, even as the Arab terrorists in Yesha continue their terrorist attacks, Arafat tightens his grip over the PA, and Syria continues to back Hizbullah.
...And now, the details
The news about the new US plan to stab Israel in the back was revealed by Ha'Aretz, in a news story posted on May 25, 2003, under the heading, Sharon, Abbas to meet within days; plans for Bush trip:
[D]espite his expression of support for the road map, Sharon is opposed to convening a U.S.-led summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, if it was to include representatives from Europe and the United Nations, sources in Jerusalem indicated Saturday night.A second Ha'Aretz report, entitled, PM rejects international Mideast summit in Sharm, added:
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will not agree to attend an international Mideast summit in Sharm el-Sheikh that includes representatives from Europe and the United Nations, sources in Jerusalem indicated last night.If past experience is any guide, then the US will have its way with Israel again, and the terrorists in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesga) will be able to celebrate yet another victory. They are already celebrating the fact that they had the US extract from Israel the acceptance of the Roadmap, even as the Arabs in Yesha continue their terrorist attacks. Here are today's [May 25, 2003] reports on the subject:
...
Sources in Washington confirmed yesterday that the administration is considering convening a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on June 4 to promote the road map for resuscitating the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
(1) In an article entitled, Palestinians fire at IDF force in southern Gaza Strip , JPost reports:
Palestinians opened fire at an IDF force Sunday night close to the security fence surrounding the Gush Katif settlement in the Gaza Strip.(2) In a second report today, entitled, Palestinians fire at IDF force in southern Gaza Strip, JPost reports:
Palestinians opened fire at an IDF force Sunday night close to the security fence surrounding the Gush Katif settlement in the Gaza Strip.(3) A third incident ended with a measure of poetic justice. The story reported by JPost is entitled, Palestinian wounds Palestinian in abortive terror attack and reads as follows:
A Palestinian gunman opened fire at a vehicle in the Jordan Rift on Sunday and wounded a Palestinian in the car in an apparent case of mistaken identity.It is not only the Arab terrorists in Yesha that ignore the US "peace efforts". Thus, in a story entitled, PLC's Abu Zayad: Israel must implement road map, Ha'Aretz reports today:
On Friday, Fatah Central Committee members loyal to Yasser Arafat voted to ban Dahlan from intervening further in Palestinian security affairs, Israel Radio reported.The PA is not the only Arab body to overtly ignore the US with contempt; Syria, via its Lebanese proxy, is doing the same. In a story entitled, Lebanon will not deploy army instead of Hezbollah forces Ha'Aretz reports today [25 May 2003] that:
The vote indicates the continuing power struggle between Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Arafat was strongly opposed to Abu Mazen's appointment of Dahlan as PA interior minister, which includes responsible for security affairs.
The report said that Hakam Balawi, secretary for the Palestinian Cabinet and a member of the Fatah committee, has threatened to resign from his post if Dahlan continues to serve as Interior Minister for all matters, including security.
Lebanon's president said his country will not deploy soldiers to the Israeli border, despite U.S. demands to rid the area of Hezbollah militants opposed to the State of Israel.It would appear that the US is only successful in bullying her friend and ally, Israel; the PA and Syria just ignore the US with contempt.
Back to IsraPundit.
