Bush duplicity towards Israel cost many Israelis their lives
Reader comment on item: In the Mideast, Bush dared to be different

Submitted by Ron (United States), Oct 25, 2004 at 15:48

Daniel:

For the first two years of his presidency, Bush CODDLED Arafat, not CAJOLED him, and instead of putting pressure on him, he put pressure on Sharon to "use restraint" in the fact of one murderous attack after another ordered by Arafat himself. All Bush could do was to ask Arafat to "Do more" to stop terrorism, which is like asking John Gacy to "Do more" to prevent child abuse. In his first 2 years, not only did Bush do nothing to resolve the Mideast conflict, his duplicity only emboldened the terrorists there to cause more death and misery in Israel.

He never equated Arafat with Bin Laden or Hussein. He never called Arafat a "terrorist" -- even when he was given irrefutable proof that Arafat personally ordered attacks -- because Bush still saw him as a "partner for peace." ONLY in 2003, and ONLY after repeated pleadings from Israeli leaders and repeated terror attacks did Bush agree to sideline Arafat.

But, did that keep him from pressuring Israel to "Use restraint?" Heck, no.

Bush reluctantly bought into the "Road Map" only because he was afraid to be marginalized and labelled as the only American president in the last 20 years to not be actively engaged in the peace process.

His push for the creation of a terrorist Palestinian state will only speed along the terrorist's plan to eradicate Israel.

With friends like that, who needs enemies??

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