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US President Bush Blocks Embassy Move to Jerusalem
Arutz Sheva ^ | 6-17-04

Posted on 06/17/2004 4:45:31 PM PDT by SJackson

US President Bush has, once again, suspended the relocation of the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Israel's capital, Jerusalem.

Bush did this by asserting that US national security will be harmed if he implements the US law requiring the move. Bush’s refusal to take concrete measures recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has caused some to question the US President’s reputation as a ‘friend of Israel’.

Congress overwhelmingly approved the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act in 1995, mandating that the US Embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by May 1999 and that the US recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

During the 2000 election campaign Bush pledged that if he was elected, he would "begin the process" of moving the embassy to Jerusalem on his "first day in office." After nearly four years, there is no evidence that he has begun that process.

In a memorandum to the Secretary of State on Tuesday, Bush wrote that he has determined it is necessity to suspend the transfer of the embassy for six months in order "to protect the national security interests" of the US. "My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem," his memorandum said.

Former US President Bill Clinton, who promised in both of his presidential campaigns to move the embassy, shied away from implementation, signing successive six-month security waivers.

After the failed Camp David talks in July 2000 - Clinton suggested in an interview with Israeli television that he was considering moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

In reaction, Hezbullah terror chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah threatened that if the US moved its embassy, the Arabs would "turn your embassy into rubble and return your diplomats in coffins."

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has sharply criticized the continued failure to implement the Embassy Relocation Act, demanding to know how the recognition of Israel’s capital would harm US national security.

"The failure to recognize Jerusalem is a violation of US law and a blatant surrender to Arab terrorist threats,” ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said. “At a time when America is engaged in a life-or-death struggle with terrorists worldwide, it is especially important to implement US law on Jerusalem and thereby send a message to terrorists everywhere that America will not capitulate to their blackmail. It is President Bush's refusal to move the embassy which could undermine national security because it encourages terrorists to believe that threats and violence will force the US to change its policies."

In 1980 Israel passed a basic law claiming Jerusalem as the Jewish State’s "eternal, indivisible capital," but only two countries, Costa Rica and El Salvador, maintain their embassies in Jerusalem.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel
KEYWORDS: bush43; costarica; elsalvador; israel; jerusalem; telaviv; usembassy; zionist
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To: DonaldDuke
Interesting place, that is. Seems like a kind of club with four members or something.

Very crude, Mr. Duke. You may wish to read the introduction to the site and then move on.

As to the consistency of my views, some days I'm just in a really lousy mood and want to bloody noses and break dishes or something like that.

You're just lucky I've been in a good mood lately or I'd take some offense at the stalking and tell mother.

That said, if you would like to opine on the current events excluding your gang's insistence on telling the Israelis how to run their lives I'd be less than willing to discuss same short an apology for your ugliness.

101 posted on 06/21/2004 4:29:28 AM PDT by harrowup (Just naturally perfect and humble of course)
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To: harrowup; SJackson; Nix 2
Very crude, Mr. Duke. You may wish to read the introduction to the site and then move on.

Actually, I've read the whole site. Everyone should. It's quite interesting.

some days I'm just in a really lousy mood and want to bloody noses and break dishes or something like that.

Let's just hope you meet some JDL'er on a day like that :). I'd like to see how long a Chicago yellow streak you can leave behind.

You're just lucky I've been in a good mood lately

Really?? Now sit, mangy, or I'll ram this bone down your throat.

Or is it admiral? Or pilot? Or President? Or Eleanor Roosevelt?

102 posted on 06/21/2004 5:04:22 AM PDT by DonaldDuke
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To: DonaldDuke
You do know you continue to prove my point, don't you?

Unless of course your intent is to send this thread to the memory hole to save your image.

103 posted on 06/21/2004 5:12:13 AM PDT by harrowup (Just naturally perfect and humble of course)
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To: harrowup
You do know you continue to prove my point, don't you?

The only point you have, my racist and communist move-on friend, is on your head :)).

104 posted on 06/21/2004 5:51:31 AM PDT by DonaldDuke
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To: inquest

inquest...when you have more understanding of the situation than your posts to me have evidenced... then maybe we can have a discussion...right now we can't, because you are wrong on many different levels.


105 posted on 06/21/2004 5:58:12 AM PDT by carton253 (Re: The Reagan Presidency: Not bad. Not bad at all.)
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To: harrowup; Salem; SJackson; Nix 2
However, I assume this spat has more to do with a thread which was pulled because of the obscene nature of the attacks a week ago.

Lol. Do you mean the thread "because of the Jews", in which you launched a vicious ANSWER-like attack against "rightwing" Jews?

The thread that had one post pulled - your post?

106 posted on 06/21/2004 6:09:25 AM PDT by DonaldDuke
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To: harrowup; DonaldDuke

Seems to me the question here is a very simple one that will either send us through the roof or give you some of the mini-respect you seem to think you deserve. On the points system, you might get more than mini. You might get Minnie with 2, count'em, 2 N's, one o' them Bayou Queens with big ears.
The question goes like this. Which would you prefer? A quiet, unassuming mouse of a reform secular humanist, or a strong, proud, unafraid Hebrew that would fight just as hard for America as they would fight for Israel. There just ain't that many good guys left much of anywhere. Who would you rather have at your back?


107 posted on 06/21/2004 7:06:29 AM PDT by Nix 2 (L'Chaim to the Duke of the Rising Tide. He chomps, man!)
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To: Salem; harrowup; DonaldDuke; Nix 2
Your request will be taken under consideration should I ever read your opinions with which I am not very familiar. If I notice you use your ping list to attack legitimate differences of opinion with the JDL crowd here than I'll try to remember your grandstanding with due respect and diligence. That said, it should be clear to anyone here that the frothing at the mouth attacks on this thread are typical of those whose moral compass is too close to the flux capacitor... Finally, if anyone wants to have a civil discussion they can do so, but I have no intention of responding to the irresponsible and juvenile attacks witnessed here for the simple reason that I promised Mr. Robinson that I would not use Free Republic to take names and kick butt. Anyone wants to take a whack at me at Liberty Post may do so, but I will remind them that LP currently has a keener appreciation of the use of the synomym for Clymers.

Well, now you went and done it, unless he differentiatiates between Christian supporters of Israel and Jewish supporters of Israel. You’re in trouble, and the folk you ping to articles are as well, knuckledragging cretins all.

From a few of the excerpts on the thread or a simple google search you’ll discover he’s a longtime denizen of the left, with the exception of Clinton a straight ticket dem voter to this day, who freely disassociates himself with freepers on leftist sites under a “GOP Kiss my *ss moniker” when his posts here are mentioned.

It’s worth noting he’s a communist sympathizer who draws a moral equivalence between America and communism (…on a personal level communism was a kinder gentler form of government than capitalism. I still think that and since neither work very well without excessive government pressure I think it is a wash...) It’s natural he posts form a leftist perspective.

Consistent with the actions of leftist propagandists, you’ll note he spends his time slandering (to a Jew which he claims to be, Loshon Hora, encompassing both verbal and written falsehoods. He’s already implied on another board that I’m stupid, it’s not slander, rather libel, typical leftist defense) others, even message recipients, without making a single, factual, position oriented comment. Support Israel, you’re a terrorist, a knuckledragging, cretionous one, to be described with images of the KKK.

He’s not addressing posters opinions, rather he’d like to see the posting and distribution of articles favorable to Israel stopped. After all, he disagrees with some of the opinions. What other option is there but to stop their dissemination?

Anyway, welcome to the club, if you want to resign, disband your ping list. Or you can join him at LP where apparently *’s aren’t used and profanity is presumably nearer the norm.

108 posted on 06/21/2004 8:31:22 AM PDT by SJackson (They're not Americans. They're just journalists, Col George Connell, USMC)
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To: Nix 2
Gibberish aside, your post is the only one that deserves a thoughtful response and I will do so with respect for the opinions of all Jews, not just the ones who believe they have the only answer.

Give me a moment and I'll give you my best shot.

109 posted on 06/21/2004 9:05:38 AM PDT by harrowup (Just naturally perfect and humble of course)
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To: carton253
That sounds like a bit of a cop-out. If you really meant what you said, then surely you'd be able to point out at least one of these "levels".
110 posted on 06/21/2004 9:21:55 AM PDT by inquest (Judges are given the power to decide cases, not to decide law)
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To: Nix 2

It's rather irrelevant to ask non-Jews, especially those who are leftists, and in fact specifically appear to not have the welfare of Jews or Israel at heart, their opinion on what kind of Jew to be. I wouldn't waste my time. :)


111 posted on 06/21/2004 12:30:24 PM PDT by veronica (Viva la Reagan revolution....)
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To: SJackson
Or you can join him at LP...

Speaking of knuckle-dragging cretins.

112 posted on 06/21/2004 12:31:28 PM PDT by veronica (Viva la Reagan revolution....)
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To: SJackson; texasflower; carton253

We're at war fercryinoutloud. If he moved the embassy you'd likely be the first one on the street corner screeching when it gets bombed.

And don't think they won't try.


113 posted on 06/21/2004 12:36:24 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (Osama remains "missing" 'cause Michael Moore ate him...)
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To: SJackson

bmp


114 posted on 06/21/2004 12:38:17 PM PDT by shield (The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)
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To: Corin Stormhands

You are absolutely right. He sure would be out there pitching a fit.


115 posted on 06/21/2004 12:39:33 PM PDT by texasflower (in the event of the rapture.......the Bush White House will be unmanned)
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To: Corin Stormhands
We're at war fercryinoutloud. If he moved the embassy you'd likely be the first one on the street corner screeching when it gets bombed...And don't think they won't try.

This is a nine year old issue, not one that arose today, or this year, or in this Presidency. If it's GWB's judgement that moving the embassy is a "national security risk", that's his call, personally I continue to believe it's a political judgement, it's not time to step on the State Depts toes, and State still doesn't recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at all.

BTW, you may have missed it, but the jihadists are happy to bomb our Embassys. IMO, they'd have happily bombed our Embassy in Tel Aviv rather than Mike's Place next door if they could have, just as they killed our diplomats in Gaza. Of course I could be wrong, maybe the terrorists are giving us a pass because the Embassy is in Tel Aviv.

116 posted on 06/21/2004 12:55:16 PM PDT by SJackson (They're not Americans. They're just journalists, Col George Connell, USMC)
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To: SJackson
This is a nine year old issue, not one that arose today, or this year, or in this Presidency.

Exactly the point. But somehow it's gotten your panties in a wad in an ELECTION YEAR and WHILE WE'RE AT WAR.

Of course they're not going to bomb us just because we move the embassy to Jerusalem. Which, btw, I'm all for.

But it is neither the time to move nor make an issue of the move.

117 posted on 06/21/2004 1:00:25 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (Osama remains "missing" 'cause Michael Moore ate him...)
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To: Corin Stormhands
Exactly the point. But somehow it's gotten your panties in a wad in an ELECTION YEAR and WHILE WE'RE AT WAR....Of course they're not going to bomb us just because we move the embassy to Jerusalem. Which, btw, I'm all for....But it is neither the time to move nor make an issue of the move.

A better, though less timely example.ZOA Criticizes Bush Admin's Latest Attempt To Block US Recognition of Jerusalem As Israel's Capital

National security issue also?

The issue isn't the movement of the Embassy, which you seem to be OK with. And I don't much care about the timing. The fact of the matter is if GWB said yes last week, it would be a decade anyway.

The issue is whether the US, in accordance with multiple laws passed by Congress and signed by both the Clinton and Bush administrations, is going to recognize Jerusalem as the capital, as you seem to. Thus far the answer is no. If that's the case, imo better to say so than ignore the issue.

BTW, in the second case, at least State is honest in their opposition, describing it as a "sensitive foreign policy issue", despite the fact that the "issue" has already been resolved by Congress and the Executive Branch.

118 posted on 06/21/2004 1:10:16 PM PDT by SJackson (They're not Americans. They're just journalists, Col George Connell, USMC)
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To: Corin Stormhands
Another thread on the topic, which you might find interesting. Again, the issue is the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital more than the movement of the Embassy, though that's the more timely issue.

Israel does not exist! Mike Evans urges Bush to acknowledge Jerusalem as capital city

By Mike Evans

Friday, March 19, 2004

Why does the U.S. government not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital when, in fact, it has been the capital of Israel for 3,300 years – since the days of King David? The 104th Congress passed public law 104-45 – the Jerusalem Embassy Act – in 1995. This document officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Public Law 104-45 also allocates $25 million to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

Why has this been postponed by a presidential waiver every six months since it was passed in Congress? The premise is that implementing the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, and recognizing one of the oldest capitals in the world, would cause a national security threat in the United States.

In 1988, I confronted Yasser Arafat at the 43rd General Assembly in Geneva concerning the fact that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel. In an uncontrollable rage, Arafat began to scream, "Shut up! Shut up!" Arafat refused to sign documents at Camp David that would have met the vast majority of his demands (including half of Jerusalem). Why? He would have had to recognize Israel's right to exist.

The real reason is plain and simple: Arab bigots do not want the United States to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In doing so, it would constitute recognizing Israel's right to exist. These same bigots attacked Spain in an attempt to use terrorism as a weapon to force the Spanish government to pull out of the coalition in Iraq, and accept a doctrine of appeasement. It appears to have worked in Spain.

Why do U.S. presidents continue to sign a waiver that postpones the implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act? The answer is simple: Blackmail by Arab bigots who refuse to acknowledge Israel's right to exist.

On Sept. 5, 1972, the entire world was shocked when one of the most despicable terrorism attacks in history took place at the Munich Olympics. Arab terrorists (later identified as Palestinians) took hostage and then murdered 11 Israeli athletes in an attempt to blackmail the Israeli government into releasing 200 Arab prisoners. The Palestinian terrorists who mounted the attack were, in fact, members of a PLO faction, Black September. Their murderous actions were approved, financed and celebrated by Yasser Arafat.

Amazingly, the official website of the Athens 2004 Olympic games on Feb. 29, 2004, under "Palestine" stated that the capital was Jerusalem. How in the world can a country that doesn't exist have a capital? After receiving a great number of complaints, the website was changed to read, "The State of Israel is part of the continent of Europe."

This is astonishing to anyone who understands geography. The U.S. State Department calls it "the Near East." Could it be that because Arab bigots refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist, the Olympic Committee concurs? Why should we be surprised when the U.S. president and others refuse to acknowledge that Israel even has a capital? It is the theater of the absurd and a festival of hypocrisy.

The Egyptian-born Arafat has never stated in any document that he wanted West Jerusalem – it was always East Jerusalem (al-Quds). On the other hand, he has frequently said that the Palestinian flag would fly over all the churches and mosques of Jerusalem – referring to the entire city. In fact, the city of Jerusalem has never been the capital of an Arab state in the 1,400 years since the Quran was written, and is not directly mentioned in the Quran.

I am outraged that the Olympic committee recognized the capital of Cuba (Havana), the capital of North Korea (Pyongyang), and the capital of Iran (Tehran), but refuses to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of our closest ally in the Middle East.

President Bush is a man of moral character and clarity. The second week of June, the Jerusalem Embassy Act will again be presented to Mr. Bush. He has a choice either to sign a national security waiver, or allow it to be enacted into law. It is time for him to stand up to Arab bigots, and refuse to sign another waiver on the Jerusalem Embassy Act. There is nothing in the Jerusalem Embassy Act that violates either U.S. or U.N. policy.

Each time the national security waiver is signed, we are saying to terrorists and bigots, "You win." America needs the blessings of God more than favor with Arab bigots. Mr. Bush needs to send a signal to all the would-be Osamas that the party is over. No longer will America allow terrorists to threaten our nation into choosing political expediency over moral clarity.

If Rudolph Giuliani had the courage to say, "No, thank you," to an Arab sheik that wanted to create linkage between 9-11 and Israel, President Bush needs to have moral clarity to do the same. America is in a state of moral decay. It is time for our president to let the godfather of world terrorism, the architect of the Munich massacre, know that the party is over. It is time to freeze the $1.25 billion dollars Arafat has stolen from the Palestinian people, and use it to build schools, hospitals, housing and a broadcasting network that does not glamorize and immortalize suicide bombers.

119 posted on 06/21/2004 1:15:53 PM PDT by SJackson (They're not Americans. They're just journalists, Col George Connell, USMC)
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To: SJackson

Please don't spam my inbox.


120 posted on 06/21/2004 1:18:28 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (Osama remains "missing" 'cause Michael Moore ate him...)
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