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I hold Mr. Bush personally responsible for this

Reader comment on item: [Israel's Gaza Withdrawal:] A Democracy Killing Itself

Submitted by Steve Klein (United States), Aug 15, 2005 at 09:33

Perhaps a little history is in order:

Immediately after 9/11, president Bush announced his Saudi-inspired vision to create a Palestinian (terrorist) state in the land of Israel. Bush was planning an invasion of Afghanistan. He thought the conflict would greatly enflame the Muslim-Arab world. This Palestinian state idea was a sop to the millions of Muslims who hate Israel in order, Bush hoped, to appease an angry Muslim-Arab world due to the American-led invasion. Bush then cobbled together this quartet -- Russia, the United Nations, the European Union and the U.S.State Department -- in order to give legitimacy to his idea and in order to lay diplomatic siege to the land of Israel.

In April 2002, Israeli forces entered Tulkarm Charity Committee offices and found spread sheets detailing Saudi financial backing for the families of suicide bombers. The Saudis were also funding Hamas and al-Jamiya al-Islamiya in the Gaza Strip, an organization that belongs to Hamas. A report also implicated the Saudis with funding Islamic Jihad. The Saudis were up to their necks in financing terrorism. But the documents did not halt the Saudi effort to shift international attention away form their involvement in terrorism back to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians according to Dore Gold. The opportunity to renew their diplomatic efforts came only months after September 11, when Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz decided to visit Bush at his Crawford, Texas ranch at the end of April 2002. According to Saudi sources, at the time Abdullah had extracted from Bush "a U.S. vision of peace that was acceptable to the Saudis, and that differed from any Israeli plan." The Saudis yanked Bush in their direction.

"The Quartet proposed the creation of a Palestinian state "with provisional borders based upon a new constitution,.....consistent with the vision expressed by President Bush, this means that the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 will be ended ... based on U.N. resolutions 242 and 338, with Israeli withdrawal to secure and recognized borders (i.e., pre-1967 boarders)..."

"On the Israeli side, Sharon reacted swiftly. He called on Western states, in particular on the US as the leader of the "free world," not to repeat the mistake that triggered World War II, when the European democracies tried to stave off the military confrontation that broke out the following year by sacrificing Czechoslovakia to Hitler's ambitions at the Munich conference in 1938. Sharon pledged that "Israel will never be a second Czechoslovakia," and that, accordingly, it would now have to rely only on itself.

"Bush dismissed Sharon's angry reaction to his statement on Palestinian statehood as "unacceptable." Categorically rejecting Sharon's allegation that the US was appeasing the Arabs at Israel's expense, he angrily denounced the Israeli prime minister's attempt to compare him to Chamberlain and Daladier, the European leaders who sought to appease Hitler at the Munich summit by ceding Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland to Germany." Twenty four hours later, just before the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Sharon backed down. (Ahram Weekly)


The 1967 Israeli "occupation" would also include the territory of Gaza according to Bush's road map since the Gaza Strip was captured from the invading Egyptian armies in 1967 and was a base for Egyptian-backed fedayeen terrorist raids into Israel. Egypt occupied Gaza from 1948 till 1967. The quartet's plan for dividing the land of Israel was given to Sharon for his cabinet's authorization; it was literally shoved down our collective throats. Sharon's cabinet offered amendments to the plan. President Bush and his Secretary of State would hear none of it. The road map was to be accepted as is, period!

Sharon came up with this unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in the hope that U.S. pressure to withdraw from the larger settlement blocks would be averted. President Bush and Secretary of Sate Condoleezza Rice have made it abundantly clear, the Gaza retreat has been accepted as a part of the road map and only as the beginning of Sharon's obligations to withdraw from other settlement blocks throughout Judea and Samaria in order to create a viable Palestinian state with contiguity to the Gaza Strip, all consistent with the terms of Bush's road map. Few if any demands are made on the Palestinians in regard to their obligations and responsibilities -- other than lip-service -- which everyone knew would be the case.

Has Ariel Sharon caved into U.S. pressure? Yes. Has there been massive U.S. pressure. Yes. And massive threats from Mr. Bush as well. I hold President Bush personally responsible for this retreat and for his attempt to create yet another Muslim terrorist state in the Middle East, in Israel's heartland. May he go down in history as one of our very worst U.S. presidents. As a thirty four year registered Republican, is this the party of Lincoln? The appeasement party and the appeasement president?

The Bush Administration and Mr. Bush does not deserve the defense provided in this article.



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Reader comments (146) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Gaza, Hamas and the Stockholm Syndrome. [676 words]Stephen MargolisOct 22, 2008 17:23140701
unending terrorism [63 words]galSep 21, 2005 10:0526125
why? [564 words]MortaryanSep 11, 2005 17:3625662
to Paul la Demain, If it's proof you want... [113 words]orange yonasonAug 29, 2005 12:0925173
Sharon's war [329 words]yuval Brandstetter MDAug 26, 2005 18:2925135
Gaza Withdrawal [526 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Paul la DemainAug 26, 2005 04:2325120
Re: Secular Law Surpasses G-d's Law? [131 words]Janet Ann SuzukiAug 24, 2005 12:0825058
8000 israelis vs. one million palestinian [116 words]L. AbideenAug 24, 2005 10:1225050
The Gaza Withdrawal [124 words]Suzanne RichmondNov 29, 2008 11:2425050
Secular Law Surpasses G-d's Law? [265 words]Yehoshua ZellerAug 23, 2005 20:4325027
Response to Mr. Feldman: you misunderstood [145 words]john barcusAug 23, 2005 19:1625023
Gaza [43 words]Perry SmulsonAug 23, 2005 13:4625003
Sharon's Disengagment plan is a Step in the Right Direction [487 words]LoganAug 23, 2005 12:0624995
Why not 5 years ago ? [86 words]mamo TollesaAug 23, 2005 07:5024985
re:Palestinian trap- Mr. Barcus [193 words]Steven FeldmanAug 22, 2005 23:3724976
Prejudice against the Palestinians [99 words]beccaAug 22, 2005 18:4324971
palestinian trap [279 words]john barcusAug 22, 2005 17:5124969
Sharon is trapping the Palestinians [340 words]AriAug 22, 2005 11:2324961
Re:Philedelphi Corridor [310 words]Faith GiniAug 21, 2005 13:5724940
Irish-British comparison [159 words]AndrewAug 21, 2005 10:4824938
No todos estan en la misma bolsa! [231 words]Andy FaurAug 21, 2005 07:3624937
Gaza [91 words]Donald W. BalesAug 20, 2005 11:0724924
Re: Philedelphi Corridor [160 words]Janet Ann SuzukiAug 20, 2005 10:5924923
Maybe. Just maybe. [100 words]L.J. MeyerAug 19, 2005 21:2024913
Gaza pull out - or is it? [137 words]Steven FeldmanAug 19, 2005 15:0324906
Israel on the verge of a massive Terrorist Attack [430 words]kanadAug 19, 2005 14:3824904
A Counterintuitive Observation [369 words]Ron ThompsonAug 19, 2005 08:5624899
Philedelphi Corridor [603 words]Faith GiniAug 19, 2005 01:1424890
Al kiddush Hashem [74 words]yehuda ben DavidAug 18, 2005 23:0224885
note to "kirkegaard" [13 words]john w. mcginleyAug 18, 2005 17:2724880
ITS WAR OR NOT. [177 words]DONVANAug 18, 2005 17:1124879
A Sign Of Things To Come? [805 words]orange yonasonAug 18, 2005 13:4924872
WORD OF CHRIST MINISTRY ; My love for Israel. [123 words]warren e. smithJan 25, 2007 14:3124872
Suggestion [223 words]Maclord MasihOct 19, 2007 13:4824872
Israel's Great Mistake [113 words]EdwardFeb 11, 2009 17:3924872
Agree with Richard WILLIAMS and J.CONGLIN [65 words]Sam ANTOINEAug 18, 2005 13:1824870
Humiliation [180 words]MarilynAug 18, 2005 13:0124868
What are you talking about... [18 words]williamAug 18, 2005 11:1524866
gaza withdrawal [10 words]walterAug 18, 2005 07:4924859
Richard Williams- Good Assessment [196 words]J. ConklinAug 17, 2005 21:1424851
Since Gaza will turn into Hamastan, a war will follow [9 words]John SmithAug 17, 2005 16:2624847
Israel is not a Democracy [108 words]AnnAug 17, 2005 12:0324839
Gaza withdrawal [14 words]Yoav EfratAug 17, 2005 12:0224838
Israelis have no right [33 words]NavAug 17, 2005 10:0824833
Palestinians are plain terrorists [26 words]NaamokuAug 17, 2005 09:0424830
Lament [16 words]Dixon PorterAug 17, 2005 08:3024829
Re: Orange Yonason [291 words]DvoraAug 17, 2005 07:4124828
Forced expulsions are illegal in international law. [57 words]d singerAug 17, 2005 03:3424822
Too Dark a Forecast [227 words]David AroninAug 17, 2005 02:1324817
Crazy like a fox [117 words]Walter ManchurAug 17, 2005 01:1624814
Gaza pullout: will history repeat itself? [141 words]N.S. RajaramAug 16, 2005 23:3724809
Don't Let Sharon Tell You It's Bush's Fault [218 words]orange yonasonAug 16, 2005 23:0424807
Ethnic Cleansing [131 words]Robert PerlitzAug 16, 2005 22:5824806
Re: Dvora [267 words]orange yonasonAug 16, 2005 22:4424803
Disengagement- Forcing the Palestinians to Choose, Not Israel. [157 words]YoramAug 16, 2005 21:5824799
I cannot agree with this statement [49 words]tzveeAug 16, 2005 20:4324796
My opinion [79 words]Larry BlumAug 16, 2005 19:5124794
Is Sharon Looking for a Fight? [73 words]Chris M.Aug 16, 2005 18:0124782
The Die is Cast... [173 words]C.ComptonAug 16, 2005 16:4824780
Tactics vs Strategy in Gaza [427 words]KierkegaardAug 16, 2005 16:2124776
May be the smartest move [349 words]BorisAug 16, 2005 16:1724775
It depends [338 words]Meryl ArbingAug 16, 2005 15:4524771
Gaza vs. Lebanon [645 words]Richard WilliamsAug 16, 2005 15:4324770
Disagree [121 words]Stephen AckerAug 16, 2005 14:5824762
A "Democracy?" No. A DICTATORSHIP, Yes. [319 words]Ruth LowryAug 16, 2005 14:4924761
cweiss@weissiplaw.com [11 words]Craig WeissAug 16, 2005 14:3324760
What was the alternative? [200 words]PatAug 16, 2005 13:1124755
The Wandering Jew Redux? [147 words]David W. LincolnAug 16, 2005 12:5824752
[The Gaza Withdrawal:] A Democracy Killing Itself [319 words]Sam AntoineAug 16, 2005 12:2524750
Gaza cannot be part of a Jewish and democratic state [285 words]OphirAug 16, 2005 12:0224749
The biggest enemies of the jewish people are among us! [252 words]EliAug 16, 2005 11:1224748
Radical Overstatement, Wrong Focus [307 words]ron thompsonAug 16, 2005 10:5124746
Israel as weak [28 words]s d stanfieldAug 16, 2005 10:3724745
Re: Ted - Withdrawal from Gaza [197 words]HuldahAug 16, 2005 10:2724744
Response to Ted Matthews [118 words]b. smohlAug 16, 2005 10:2224742
Sharon's present against Sharon's past? [102 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Maureen CoteAug 16, 2005 10:1924741
Response to Ted [96 words]garyAug 16, 2005 09:4424740
SHARON'S SHAME [221 words]David Bentata PSCAug 16, 2005 08:3924739
Jerusalem Post editorial on disengagement [72 words]Mladen AndrijasevicAug 16, 2005 06:4624735
I can't believe what I just read [25 words]SaraAug 16, 2005 06:3824734
Sharon's strategy: Fight aggressors on their own turf? [108 words]Jan VinkAug 16, 2005 06:0524732
Re: Yonason [364 words]DvoraAug 16, 2005 05:3724730
It will encourage terrorism worldwide [355 words]Amitabh tripathiAug 16, 2005 05:2924729
withdrawal from gaza [115 words]nick wrightAug 16, 2005 04:2224727
Withdrawal from Gaza [274 words]Ted MatthewsAug 16, 2005 03:0724724
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Just Following Orders? [217 words]orange yonasonAug 16, 2005 02:0624720
Kidnapping the Peace [40 words]Dave GoldsteinAug 16, 2005 01:5824719
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Recipe For War [68 words]Mark LoboAug 16, 2005 01:0524714
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If I Forget Thee? [296 words]John R. PeacherAug 15, 2005 22:1624703
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First time I disagree with Mr. Pipes [192 words]Yvette SmithAug 15, 2005 22:0424700
Gaza Withdrawal Israel's advantage/Palestinian opportunity [162 words]Bekarove BeyamenuAug 15, 2005 21:2024699
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Israel is committing suicide [127 words]Ralph C Whaley MDAug 15, 2005 20:3324697
Land for peace [44 words]HesebahAug 15, 2005 19:3624696
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Sharon deserves our trust and support [66 words]John GellesAug 15, 2005 18:1624692
Withdrawal [115 words]Steven LAug 15, 2005 17:5624691
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What is Sharon thinking? [139 words]abraham cohenAug 15, 2005 16:3424687
Unilateral Withdrawal [78 words]Howard MintzAug 15, 2005 16:1724685
wrong, wrong, wrong [169 words]john w. mcginleyAug 15, 2005 16:1424684
1This is sending a message that terrorism works. [231 words]NicolaAug 15, 2005 16:0824683
Disengagement --- down the road.......... [153 words]Harry W. GluckmanAug 15, 2005 15:5524682
To Paul Z. [71 words]orange yonasonAug 15, 2005 14:5624681
Conclusions too soon? [410 words]BorisAug 15, 2005 14:1324677
Success of Israeli Withdrawal Dependent on Conti gency Response. [108 words]Richard BrooksAug 15, 2005 13:5524676
1Democracy in itself is self defeating [271 words]Darwin BarrettAug 15, 2005 13:4024675
I Cry Today [56 words]Nikki Roth-SkilesAug 15, 2005 13:1424673
Right or wrong ? [101 words]Jacob Goldberg, MDAug 15, 2005 13:0024672
[The Gaza Withdrawal:] A Democracy Killing Itself [154 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Carlito GaldósAug 15, 2005 12:2924671
Gaza Pullout [87 words]DavidAug 15, 2005 12:2724670
Gaza [75 words]Elaine NugentAug 15, 2005 12:1224669
We wonder why it is being done at all [731 words]Kenneth S. BesigAug 15, 2005 12:0924668
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Autopsy [146 words]Dan FriedmanAug 15, 2005 11:4724662
I live in Israel and I do not see some of the facts you mention [297 words]Dan AterAug 15, 2005 11:3824661
another foreign piece of advice for israel [423 words]jrAug 15, 2005 11:3724660
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respectfully disagree [311 words]Paul ZAug 15, 2005 11:3024658
A Democracy Killing Itself [39 words]Bernard FreedmanAug 15, 2005 11:2324657
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New Round of justifications [163 words]AlojzAug 15, 2005 10:3324653
No Good Option [311 words]Ira KatzAug 15, 2005 09:5824651
Why? [20 words]Brad ScruggsAug 15, 2005 09:4424650
appeasement ? [215 words]peter silverAug 15, 2005 09:3924649
I hold Mr. Bush personally responsible for this [815 words]Steve KleinAug 15, 2005 09:3324648
Gaza pullout [10 words]cindy connerAug 15, 2005 09:3024647
Pull Out Completed more than 2 Years ago [56 words]Robert PerlitzMay 11, 2008 03:1524647
unilateral disengagement is a recipe for war [50 words]b. smohlAug 15, 2005 09:0924646

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