Posted on 05/25/2003 5:57:23 PM PDT by yonif
Road Map situation took a quick and sudden turn on Friday afternoon, in the form of a quick exchange of official statements between American and Israeli government officials. U.S. Secretary of State Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice announced on Friday morning the following: "The United States shares the view of the Government of Israel that [its 14-15 reservations on the Road Map] are real concerns, and will address them fully and seriously in the implementation of the roadmap to fulfill the President's vision of June 24, 2002."
A scant few hours later, Prime Minister Sharon's Bureau released the following statement: "In view of the recent statement of the US regarding the Israeli comments on the Roadmap, which shares the view of the Government of Israel that these are real concerns, and in view of the US promise to address those concerns fully and seriously in the implementation of the Roadmap to fulfill the President's vision of 24.6.2002, we are prepared to accept the steps set out in the Roadmap. I intend to submit this acceptance to the Government of Israel's approval."
Analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA commented on the lack of logic inherent in "addressing these concerns fully" during the implementation of the plan: "Would anyone commit to a defective contract based on the assurance that even though the written text is dangerously defective, when the contract is implemented the problems will be addressed? How can they be addressed when the text calls for one thing and 'addressing' these problem means doing something completely differently?"
Eli Kornfeld, head of the "Darkecha Darkeinu" (Your Way is Our Way) forum in the Likud Party, was noticeably saddened by the decision to bring the Road Map up for a Cabinet vote: "This is a hasty decision that seals the fate of the Nation of Israel for a very difficult period that we will face. It is a decision that is forced upon us, for some reason, by the United States. The economic thriving that the Prime Minister sees as a result of this - it's just a dream, just as it was before Oslo - when they promised us a great period, but many people paid with their lives. This is a prize to Arafat for his 2.5 years of terrorism. It's terrible, if this is the approach - we have learned absolutely nothing; just terrible."
The Yesha Council, representing the Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, released a strong announcement today condemning the Cabinet's approval of the Road Map. The council said that the decision "would be remembered as an eternal disgrace in the history of the State of Israel," and that it "ignores our historical rights over the Land of Israel, and causes damage to the national security interests of Israel."
Deputy Education Minister Tzvi Hendel (National Union) told Arutz-7 today that there were so many points to raise against this Road Map, "but let me just give you two or three. For years, Arafat has wanted to internationalize the dispute, yet no Israeli government ever agreed - until now. This means that Arafat has succeeded in having the Europeans and the UN decide whether the Palestinians are fulfilling their obligations... A terrorist state will be established aside us… I can only hope that the normative, Jewish, logical point of view will prevail - I have no hope from Shinui, but at least among the Likud ministers."
Reminded that Sharon was facing very strong American pressure, Hendel replied: "Last night we spoke to some U.S. Congressmen, and they said that they feel that Israel is undermining them and their objections to this plan. They are trying to reject it, and we are supporting it! There are many in the Administration who don't like this plan. It could be that Blair is pushing Bush to come through on his pre-Iraq-war promises, and it could be that Sharon thinks that nothing will come of it, etc. - but the fact is that the Israeli government will be making a tremendous mistake by making this statement for history that it accepts a Palestinian state... This will be one of the absolute worst decisions in the history of the State of Israel. We can't always worry about tactics and maneuvering. We must stand up for what is right."
I think about all the brainwashed Palestinian kids and wonder if the road just leads to the Apocalypse.
Of course it will bring peace. As it spells Israel's doom. So when Israel is not on the map anymore, peace will reign!
But be of good cheer in spite of all this.
He that watches Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
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