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.
Yeah, we wouldn't want even MORE instability. Because, after all, right now we're all kind of friends, beheadings and bombings aside.
Amazing. Who is this psychopatic cretin from the nazi boards, and what is he doing here since forever?
One of the attributes of sovereignty is the ability to put your capital wherever you damn well please within your own territory. So by dictating to Israel where to put it, the Palestinian despots are indeed attacking its sovereignty, and we are indeed appeasing their war aims by going along with that nonsense.
The purpose of this Resolution was to guarantee that Israel would get defendable borders and peace and the right to exist.
Yeah, "peace" by giving up a part of its territory in an attempt to appease despots. Seems to me that's been tried before somewhere...
Texasflower, you are hardly Chamberlain...and inquest knows it...
No, the parallels are quite striking. Chamberlain likewise believed that it wasn't the right time to be charging directly into trouble over such a marginal issue. In fact, if anything, Chamberlain wasn't being as foolish as Bush. At least Chamberlain understood that opposing Hitler would have involved military force. What would it have involved from us to respect Israel's choice of capital city? Some construction machinery? That's about it.
Geez...No not like in Res.181. The UN Should have no authority of its own Bathrooms let alone Jerusalem. But It should be there, instead of in Manhattan.
Remember, Arab diplomats make up a substantial proportion of that body. Then you get to step B, Building 2 embassies for every member nation, near and around Holy sites.
It makes those that support the current Palestine regime, have a very personal stake in the security and peace of the area. (Not to mention that that kind of project develops a commerce structure of its own, bringing Capital, and improved standards of living to the area....etc...)
(Sort of like merging a modern version of DC, with the Holy sites as hallowed ground.....)
No problem. But don't expect another darn red cent of that $3 billion+ annual handout from the US.
But in truth, I think most Israelis and Americans can put this minor disagreement in the proper context of the strong US-Israeli alliance.
Well, harrowup, you sorry ass bitch, you can include me in that group next time. Oh, and go make yourself a nice cup of STFU.
That is sort of a two-edged sword. The US probably receives more value from Israel that 3bill per annum, for example in the form of technological and medical innovation, direct help in the ME, and of course the dirty little secret that most of these dollars must be plowed straight back in US industry competing with Israeli enterprises.
Actually, Israel would be extremely well advised to cut all ties to the US and cultivate connections with India instead. The only thing not making this an imperative, is that GWBush, so far, has been a better ally than his father who stocked his whole staff with the most loathsome antisemites, like many other presidents.
As for Dubya, I'm quite optimistic that all this song-and-dance about the "palestinians" is a ploy between him and Sharon, and that in due time, the palis will be pounded out of existence.
"They can wait." I agree!
I get sick and tired of hearing crap from both the left and the right, like: Bush acts too quick-Bush acts too slow. Bush overeacts-Bush under reacts. Bush is no Friend of Isaael-Bush is too friendly with Israel. Blah, Blah, blah.
Bush has a plate full and running over with life and death issues to deal with and damn little cooperation in solutions from anyone or anywhere-mostly he is criticized,demonized and second guessed by self serving idiots and enemies of the USA from both without and within.
If the Capitol of Israel was moved from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem in 1980, there have been many better times to move our embassy than now.
I advise the Critic's of President Bush to either grow up, of SHUT UP!!!!!!!
I'd say move it to Cairoor Riyadh, but the diplomats wouldn't like the nightlife. Let the Swiss have them.
Don't know. He's sure not decaf.
You are a real piece of work, aren't you?
Who would you recommend we replace President Bush with?
Inquiring minds need a good laugh.
Wow. You nutcases are out in full force today.
Hear, hear!!
Too bad for that nut that the word "kai" doesn't mean anything.
And a bumpety Bump!
Ive been duped....how come Achmed didnt include me in his list of Jewish terrorists? <>
You're surprised our resident buffoon, expert in all things Jewish, spells Chai, as in Kahane Chai, Kai?
An interesting aside, Kai is a Greek conjunction, common in the early Greek translations of the Tanakh, I believe frequently mis attributed as though it's Hebrew or Aramaic.
Maybe he's just a confused scholar.
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