U.S. Again Defers Moving Embassy to Jerusalem

Reuters ^

[RCW2001]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush ( news - web sites) on Monday again deferred for six months the moving of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but said he was still committed to making the transfer sometime in the future.

The U.S. Congress passed a bill in 1995 aimed at moving the embassy to Jerusalem, which would anger Palestinians and other Arabs who would view it as recognition of Israel's annexation of the Arab sector, but it left an escape clause allowing the president to postpone the move for national security reasons.

Former President Bill Clinton and Bush have both repeatedly postponed the move at six-month intervals, well aware that it could undermine efforts to ease violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians and to move the two sides toward peace.

In a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell ( news - web sites) released by the White House, Bush cited national security in announcing his decision but added that "my administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem."

During the 2000 presidential campaign, Bush took the position that he would move the embassy to Jerusalem, which Israel asserts is its undivided capital, but he has chosen not to do so since taking office.

Most countries do not recognize Israel's annexation of Arab East Jerusalem, which it captured from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war.

[PhiKapMom]

Until the suicide bombers stop their bombings, I say leave the embassy and our embassy staff in Tel Aviv -- don't need to risk any American lives IMO!

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

Absolutely concur in your opinion. Brazen posturing (can't see much motive for such a proposed change other than that) isn't going to be much comfort to the families of American embassy personnel when their loved ones' severed body parts are sent home to them.

As Israel is a strong American ally, i believe we need to be highly supportive of Israel's right and duty to defend itself against aggressors (including homicide bombers). However, if a house divides itself (which it does if it overlooks its responsibility to its own people), not much good in the long-run will we be doing anyone (America or Israel) if we sacrifice our own citizens' lives just to 'make a statement'. How can/will placing our own sisters and brothers directly in harm's way in this situation be of benefit to anyone? Perhaps whichever (and whenever) American politician(s) implement this proposed change, they and their families will be first in line to volunteer their services working at the Jerusalem site...to 'test' its merits...before he/they needlessly sacrifice someone else's life.

[PhiKapMom]

Am with you 100%! You have stated it perfectly!

[InkStone]

Heard a great idea today on G Gordon Liddy: for every Israeli killed, move the Israel border one mile further out. Bulldoze everything as it's moved, and soon the problem will solve itself.