Posted on 06/24/2002 8:30:40 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
US President George W. Bush's address was greeted with satisfaction in Jerusalem last night, and a feeling that the country's diplomatic policy and intense lobbying efforts had borne fruit.
Less than 30 minutes after Bush completed his speech, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying, "Israel is a country that desires peace. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said on numerous occasions that when there is a complete cessation of terror, violence, and incitement and when the Palestinian Authority enacts genuine reforms, including new leadership at the top, such that a different Authority is created, then it will be possible to discuss how to make progress on the political track."
Officials in the Prime Minister's Office said Bush accepted Israel's two primary demands: that there be a total cessation of terrorism, and that the PA undergo a total reformation, before any progress can be made. The officals pointed out that Bush did not call for an immediate withdrawal, a return to the 1967 borders, or a firm timetable.
Minister-without-Portfolio Dan Naveh said the speech represents "the end of the Arafat era and the victory of Israel's position."
Palestinian reaction was less enthusiastic, though the official response was cooly receptive.
PA Chairman Arafat said Bush had made "a serious contribution" to Middle East peace, and an official statement said "President Arafat and the Palestinian leadership have welcomed the ideas presented by President Bush. The president [Arafat] and the cabinet view the ideas as a serious contribution to pushing the peace process forward."
"The leadership hopes to discuss the necessary details to secure the success of these ideas through direct and bilateral meetings with the American administration, and with the consultation of the quartet [US, European Union, Russia, and United Nations representatives] and the Arab brothers."
But Mahmoud Zahar, a prominent Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, described Bush's speech as and adaptation of Sharon's attitudes.
"We see the speech as Hebrew words that were translated into English and spoken by Bush on behalf of Sharon," Zahar said.
Palestinian Legislative Council member Husam Khader said the speech "is very bad. It did not offer anything new, and claims the Palestinian people bear the responsibility of what's going on."
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said only Palestinians can choose their leadership and they already have chosen Arafat.
"Palestinian leaders don't come from parachutes from Washington or anywhere else. Palestinian leaders are elected directly by the Palestinian people. President Yasser Arafat was directly elected in a free and fair election... The world and President Bush must respect the democratic choice of the Palestinian people," Erekat told CNN.
Shinui Party head Yosef "Tommy" Lapid called Bush's speech the most favorable to Israel ever delivered by an American president addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said Bush clearly called for Palestinians to replace Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, without even mentioning his name.
Lapid said Bush did not try to "balance" between Israel and the Palestinians, because what interests him is the war against terrorism, and that in this regard there is no doubt where the president stands.
Meretz leader MK Yossi Sarid said Bush's speech was not in tune with reality. "The goals that Bush set out are worthy and proper, but he apparently has no idea how to implement them."
National Union-Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman praised the speech, saying it was constructive in its recommendations to change the Palestinian leadership as a first step.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak said the Bush speech was "very good." In an interview with CNN, Barak said he hopes Arafat now understands that this may be his last chance, and will not try to oppose Bush's proposals.
American Jewish leaders breathed a sigh of relief that the president's vision of a Palestinian state is preconditioned on the eradication of terrorism and the building of democratic institutions.
"None of the anxieties that some of us had, listening and reading the analysis and pre-analysis, were realized," said Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League.
"I think it's a very powerful address, and puts the onus where we always said it was, which is the inability of the current [Palestinian] leadership," said Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Hoenlein lauded Bush for calling on Syria to halt terrorism and urging the Palestinians to "choose life," a marked contrast to some Palestinian leaders' calls for "martyrdom," or suicide attacks against Israelis, he noted.
"The real key now is the implementation and sustaining it over time," he said.
American Jewish Committee president Harold Tanner and executive director David Harris issued a congratulatory statement to Bush on his "superb speech." It was "courageous, comprehensive, and visionary," they wrote.
Bush's continued support for Israel throughout its war on Palestinian terrorism was also praised.
"The president on this issue has been very good since day one," said Foxman. "And all those who are saying it's a passing moment of fancy, I think, are wrong. He was very clear where his moral compass is on this issue."
It appears Arafat enjoys using the radical elements of his society to speak for his alter ego(s), LOL!
Bush was great today, isn`t it wonderful that the adults are back in charge.
Arafat knows one thing for certain. He is a dead man if he proceeds with adopting the demands the president has made. Arafat has only two choices, either accept the conditions and be killed by his own nest of vipers OR call elections and hope like hell he does not win.
As for my fellow Jews, I do feel that the tide is changing. My parents have a wide circle of friends, where until recently they were the only Republicans. My father (he's the greatest) has been pointing out to these Democrats at every available opportunity who their real friends are. He's been reporting back to me that many of the most strident Sore/Loserman supporters have been coming around and telling him he's right. Whether or not this will translate into votes remains to be seen, the older they are the more the Democratic Party is ingrained into them, but for the first time I believe it is possible.
ROFLMAO. How is it there in your parallel universe?
Kindly post ONE article where the Palestinians support it.
Boo F'ing Hoo....Too bad your "leader" lead you astray. You had 98% on the table 3 years ago...but guess what? Your man Arafat realized if he accepted he would be out of a job, just like Jesse should the race baiting war if it ever ends.
I have no sympathy for a people that are as ignorant as the pali's..I pray for their demise...
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