Sharon Warns Bush: Do Not Attack Israel

Arutz Sheva Israel Broadcasting Network ^ | Friday, 05 October 2001

[Israel]

PM Sharon To Bush: 'Don't Appease The Arabs At Our Expense'

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a press conference last night following the downing of the Russian passenger plane over the Black Sea - which took off from Israel's Ben Gurion Int'l airport with mostly Israelis on board - and in the wake of the deadly Arab terrorist attack in Afula which claimed the lives of three Israeli citizens.

Sharon said: "Today a Russian plane en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, carrying 66 passengers and 12 crewmen, went down. This is a terrible tragedy for both Israel and Russia. I spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and we agreed on full cooperation between Israel and Russia in investigating this tragic incident. I have also instructed Israel's Minister of Transportation, Dr. Ephraim Sneh, to coordinate activities in this regard."

"Today, Israel suffered another heinous Palestinian terrorist attack [in Afula], which took a heavy toll: Three dead and seven wounded. All our efforts to reach a cease-fire have been torpedoed by the Palestinians. The fire did not cease, not even for one day. The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take all necessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel. We can rely on ourselves only."

"We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult political campaign. I call on the Western democracies, and primarily the leader of the free world, the United States: Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for 'a convenient temporary solution.' Do not try to appease the Arabs at our expense - this is unacceptable to us. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terrorism."

"There is no 'good terrorism' and 'bad terrorism,' as there is no 'good murder' and 'bad murder.' Terrorism, as we witnessed this week in Elei Sinai, is worse than murder. We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately, there is no swift and immediate solution, but if we confront this terrorism united, we will be able to overcome it and bring peace. And we shall overcome."

Since the Prime Minister's speech last night, more details surrounding the downing of the passenger plane have been uncovered. While conflicting reports continue to emanate from the Russian media regarding the recovered cockpit of the plane, Russian authorities released an official statement today saying that the door to the cockpit had holes in it which resemble those of bullets. Further examination is necessary to verify that the holes were caused by bullets.

United States officials say that the plane was apparently downed accidentally by a surface-to-air missile during a large-scale Ukrainian military exercise. But, Ukraine says that the plane was far out of range of any missiles used in the exercise.

Sixteen bodies have been pulled from the water. An Israel Air Force Hercules cargo flight with search and recovery teams on board is still awaiting the necessary permits to enable it to takeoff and join the rescue efforts in the Black Sea. An Israel Navy ship will also join the search early next week.

[tomahawk]

Things are getting patched up:

Sharon calls Powell after White House blasts PM comments

By Aluf Benn, Ha'aretz Correspondent, Ha'aretz Service and agencies

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday, in an attempt to soften the diplomatic strain created Thursday evening between the two countries. The White House responded harshly earlier Friday to comments made by Sharon the day before, in which the prime minister said that the United States risked appeasing Arab nations at Israel's expense.

An announcement released Friday by the Prime Minister's Office stated that Sharon expressed his appreciation for the deep friendship and the special relationship shared by the U.S. and Israel, in particular with President George W. Bush.

In their telephone conversation, Sharon asked Powell to pass on his blessings to Bush for his courageous and daring decision to fight terror, a stance that Israel supported and one in which it was a full partner. Sharon told Powell that Israel has suffered from terrorism since its creation and the government of Israel is obligated to protect its citizens and prevent all acts of terror against innocent civilians.

The White House indicated Friday the level of displeasure with which it had greeted Sharon's remarks. "Those comments made by the prime minister are unacceptable in the president's opinion," President George W. Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer, told reporters.

"Israel has no better friend than the United States and will have no better friend than the United States," Fleischer said. He refused to be drawn into a debate on claims that Israel's policies toward the Palestinians was one of the motives behind the September 11 attacks.

"If a beautiful and lasting peace were brought to the Middle East today, terrorism would still exist," he said.

During his speech at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Sharon cited the "dreadful mistake of 1938" when Europe "decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia" to the Nazis.

The prime minister also stressed that "all of our efforts to reach a cease-fire were foiled by the Palestinians and the fire did not stop, not even for a single day. We can only rely on ourselves."

Sharon's comments reflected the growing disappointment in the American administration's position regarding terrorism in the region, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington. Particularly disturbing is the fact that Syria and Iran - who back the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah - are not being held accountable for their role in sponsoring terrorist activities against Israel.

Powell tells Arafat that PA must move to end violence Americans officials said Friday that Secretary of State Colin Powell demanded in a phone conversation with Yasser Arafat on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority Chairman take action to fulfill his cease-fire obligations, Israel Radio reported. The call came after Powell discussed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres recent incidents of Palestinian violence in the territories.

Following a cabinet meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Friday morning, the Palestinian Authority released a statement calling on all Palestinian groups to stop attacks on Israel.

"The cease-fire is a Palestinian interest and all forces and officials are to strictly honor it," the announcement said. It also said that steps were being taken to ensure that the cease-fire is honored in manner that will prevent Israel from claiming that the Palestinian actions are "terror."

Minister for Regional Cooperation Dan Meridor and Public Security Minister Uzi Landau will next week travel to the U.S. to meet with senior White House and State Department officials. Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Zalman Shoval will also visit Washington during the same period, as a personal envoy of the prime minister. The three will clarify the Israeli position, and attempt to convince the Americans to take action against Palestinian terror groups and Hezbollah.

Sharon spoke with Powell by telephone Thursday and told him: "Arafat is not doing anything to prevent terror, attacks, shooting and incitement. There was not one day of quiet. We understand that we can only rely on ourselves. We will of course try to assist the coalition in any way, because we face the same enemy."

Sharon repeated his request to Powell to include Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah on the list of terror organizations "to be addressed immediately," because "that is the one thing that will put pressure on Arafat to take action."

[keepinitreal]

I think what he's saying is,"Powell and US get off our case, we're trying to fight a war here to, stop restricting us, we're on the same side!"

[a merkin]

Paraphrasing your statement, "the [Arabs] lost any right to land in the Middle East when the [Israelis] destroyed [them on the field of battle] over [30] years ago. It [is] hubris for [anyone] to try to give them someone else's land in [2001]."

You're free to draw all the parallels that you wish. However, rememember that the present-day disposessed are living people whose hopes for self-determination has been thwarted and whose title to lands and property has been compromised. That's why they're so damned hot.

[First_Salute]

Exactly; and thank you for pointing that out.

[smokinandvotin]

So by your logic the U.S. has no right to exist? We were not here first, is there a time limit to when a nation is legal? We have been hamstringing Israel for too long and now we want countries like IRAN to help us in our coalition! Of course they are pissed, we spoke like we were going to wipe out terrorism, and now it looks like we will just wipe out Bin Laden. Leaving Israel to fight the same old fights it has been fighting, only this time we might owe a favor to IRAN or some other goofed up country.

[tomahawk]

There were also millions of dispossessed people after WWII in Europe. As one example, millions of Germans were moved out of East Prussia, Silesia, etc. They made new homes for themselves in present-day Germany. The U.N. recognized Israel in 1948, even if Arab regimes and Arabs aren't willing to do so. What's stopping the "dispossessed" from building their lives where they are today? Their fellow Arabs, that's what.

[MissAmericanPie]

The re-establishment of Israel was foretold in prophecy to the date 1915, when the UK granted land to form the nation of Israel. Little men have spent their entire history on earth thinking they can waylay God's plans, it is a futile exercise.

It is pretty amazing to see the clock tick and the puzzle pieces fall into place like a chinese puzzle box and man just trips blindly on not noticing. Israel is there because God wants it there. He intends to drag all nations to the final conflict over Jerusalem and pour out his fury on them there. We are on the roller coaster going over the first hill and there is no getting off. People should be looking into their relationship to God instead of worring over a destiny that will come just as surely as the sun rises in the East.

When all this comes down, everyone should earnestly pray that we are on the right side of this thing.

[spycatcher]

In the end the entire world will turn against Israel. I never thought Bush would stoop this low just to be seen as sensitive, but the U.S. is backstabbing them while kissing the ass of Osama's buddies. It's mentally disturbed diplomacy. Or maybe there's a method to the madness... The Bush family has longstanding business ties to our "partners"

This after Israel provided us with loads of intelligence after Sept 11th. I guess we're just handing it over to Iran, Syria and Pakistan.

[Inyokern]

This is nuts. Sharon never warned Bush "Do Not Attack Israel." Your title is a lie.

[F.J. Mitchell]

# 13:BUMP!

[arielb]

it better be a wake up call to stop thinking Iran or Syria (which will sit on the UN Security council!!) can be part of a coalition against terrorism. Enough of this nonsense that you can negotiate and give a state to people who support suicide bombers. And this isn't just about Israel. Russia is facing the same problem in Chechnya. India is facing the same problem in Kashmir. There are militant muslims in this country too. If they see that they can get what they want by blowing something up then some genius in Detroit or Paterson New Jersey will wage jihad to liberate those cities from American "occupation"

[Inyokern]

ottoman

member since October 5th, 2001

[Poohbah]

And there's a penalty flag on the play! (Abuse button mashed)

[ExiledInTaiwan]

I suppose his statement "We can rely on ourselves only" means he will stop taking the $3 Billion/year(reported tonight on CNN) we give them.

[evangmlw]

And tick GOD off, I hope not!

[ExiledInTaiwan]

BUMP

[tomahawk]

Mr. "Ottoman", when did the Ottoman Empire ever recognize a single independent Arab state? Never. Israel has relations whith several Arab states. Are you a Turk? I doubt it, since Turkey is Israel's best friend, after the U.S. If you are a Turk, when will Turkey recognize an independent Kurdistan? What about the national aspirations of the 20+ million Kurds, whom have no state? Why should the Pals have a state before the Kurds?

[ExiledInTaiwan]

Your English is a bit fuzzy, but your logic is crystal clear.