Unrestrained Likud-Led Israel Is a Recipe for Disaster

[Scurrilous]

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=43961&d=28&m=4&y=2004

<snip>

"With Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promising still more assassinations, including that of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, and with his Cabinet approving a budget that expands Israeli settlements in the West Bank both inside and outside of its newly constructed wall, it seems clear that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is desperately in need of outside intervention if disaster is to be averted. In the past, there have been a number of instances where the United States was able to play such a role. But, it appears, no more."

<snip>

"Whether operating out of ideological conviction or cold political calculation, President George Bush has given Ariel Sharon a free hand, and he did so both before and after 9/11. On only one occasion did it appear that Bush was prepared to act as a restraining force. In early April 2002, after a dramatic acceleration in horrific terrorist attacks and deadly counter assaults, Bush delivered a somewhat balanced ultimatum to both Israelis and Palestinians.

He then dispatched Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Middle East to help stop the bloodshed and restart peace efforts. But, after facing two weeks of non-stop political assault from his conservative Republican base, angry at his administration for putting pressure on Sharon, Bush responded by declaring Sharon “a man of peace” and placing exclusive blame for the situation on Yasser Arafat. In that one act, he sealed Arafat’s fate, seriously undercut Powell’s mission and gave Sharon the green light that the Israeli leader has been taking advantage of ever since."

<snip>

"In any case, left with no immediate prospect of US pressure or any other external pressure, to restrain the current state of affairs, the Israeli-Palestinian dynamic continues out of control with the Palestinians remaining extraordinarily vulnerable to continued Israeli assaults on their persons, their lands, and their hopes. The damage that this has done and will continue to do to human life, to the search for peace and to regional attitudes toward the United States is incalculable."

[aquart]

1. Better the Israelis should be the vulnerable ones?

Is that your position?

Or did you completely miss this part of the commentary: after a dramatic acceleration in horrific terrorist attacks?????

[shadu]

2. Yes, Israel deserves rightous retaliation at every turn

This is in line with the Yankee Spirit!
What are you talking about?