Will the Gaza roadside bombing be the last straw?

Jewish World Review ^ | Oct. 16, 2003 | Steve Goldstein

[SJackson]

Palestinian 'militant' groups and terrorist organizations are distinguishable, huh?

(KRT) The roadside bomb that killed three U.S. private security guards traveling in an official convoy in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday may also have claimed another casualty: the argument that Palestinian militant groups are distinguishable from terrorist organizations.

Palestinian officials denounced the attack, and the militant groups denied responsibility. But members of Congress and terrorism analysts said the attack is likely to increase pressure on the U.S. government to treat Palestinian groups as kin to al-Qaida and its anti-American brethren.

"All of these groups -- Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad -- these are all rogue elements, all anti-U.S. entities and all have hatred for our values and they are targeting U.S. citizens," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.

Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., called on the Bush administration "to get serious about the next phase of the war on terrorism."

Until now, U.S. policy toward these groups has been influenced by the European view that Hamas, particularly, is a social welfare group fighting for the liberation of Palestine.

Graham said Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad share the characteristics of receiving support "from a state that possesses weapons of mass destruction, they have a history of hating and killing Americans, and they have the ability today to strike within the United States of America."

Hezbollah, said Graham, "is the A team."

[HELLRAISER II]

It damn sure should be, these people hate us as much as the Jews. Trying to make peace with someone who doesn't want peace is the Impossible Dream. I say let the Israeli's go ahead and wipe them out.

[RonHolzwarth]

re: ""Palestinian authorities should have acted long ago to fight terror in all its forms," Bush said."

Duhhhhhhh,,,,,,,,

Ya think?

[tioga]

al Queda = taliban = saddam and sons = suicide bombers = terrorists = Hammas = Palistinian Authority

A terrorist kills innocent people to get what he wants....A terrorist by any other name is still a terrorist. Do we really want to pick and choose which innocent people are worthy of saving?

[HELLRAISER II]

No. If they're Terrorists, wipe'em out!

[MinuteGal]

"Will the Gaza bombing be the last straw?"

Short answer, no. Longer answer, no way.

If there were even the slightest consequences to be meted out, it would have been underway by now.

Leni

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[adam_az]

Will the Gaza roadside bombing be the last straw?

Doubt it.

The "Roadmap" has become it's own specially protected entity, iconic outside of the context of what it was designed to accomplish.

[dennisw]

The USA ain't gonna do jack ....same as we restrain the Isrealis to do nothing

[lobo59]

Our president and state department are so busy refusing to protect our nation and not willing to end terrorism once and for all that there will be no action just weak empty words.

Three dead americans, a good start at a payback would be 300,000 dead terrorists in Gaza. It is time to let these cockroaches know that it is time to get out of dodge and stay in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi, Syria, etc. Anyone who stays is a dead terrorist

[onyx]

I thought the Jerusalem bus bombing that slaughtered so many innocent children SHOULD have been the last straw, so I have now given up the hope of exacting proper and due revenge.

[q_an_a]

if that was a fact then the month long delay after 911 would be the same proof, but where is the government of afganistan now? the people who ran that government are on the run and targets. the pa know that they are going to be targets now too.

[dennisw]

I thought the Jerusalem bus bombing that slaughtered so many innocent children SHOULD have been the last straw, so I have now given up the hope of exacting proper and due revenge.

I can only think of three reasons the Israelis hold back:

• Threat of trade boycott sponsored by the EU and UN (most likely reason) To make Israel into a pariah state as was done to South Africa.
• Still too many leftists in Israeli government to take decisive action
• Threat of US aid cutbacks

 

[onyx]

I know you're right, but it doesn't lessen my anger nor my frustration. :)