Is Shrub too Anti-Israel?

[AmericanErrorist]

Supporters of the current administration often assert that George Bush is the best president Israel has ever had. While this administration has taken a number of positions that have garnered support among friends of Israel, the Bush record on Israel is far from perfect -- and friends of Israel must be prepared to criticize Bush policies where appropriate. The following facts are also a part of the Bush record on Israel.

A History of Opposing Israel's Security Fence:

** Fact: George Bush and his administration were opposed to the construction of Israel's security fence, and had threatened to penalize Israel for constructing the fence. Echoing many other Jewish and secular press articles, one press report noted in 2003 that "the Bush administration ... has been pressuring Israel about its fence because the barrier veers over the 'green line,' the old 1949 armistice line, to encompass at least two large West Bank settlements. The administration has said it may deduct what Israel spends on the fence from loan guarantees. ... 'We have made it clear that the fence... is a problem,' Secretary of State Colin Powell told The Washington Post , in language that has been echoed by Bush" (The Forward, October 10, 2003)...

Recent Sharp Criticism of Israel:

** Fact: In May, the Bush administration had sharp words for Israel, and the administration permitted the UN to pass an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning Israel. One month ago, under the headline "Bush's Support of Israel Falters," the Associated Press reported that the White House "sharply criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Jewish state. ... n a sudden turnabout, Secretary of State Colin Powell lashed out at Israel, the White House issued a statement criticizing Israel on humanitarian grounds and the United States dropped plans to veto -- or at least weaken -- an Arab resolution at the U.N. condemning Israel for the housing demolitions and the attack on Palestinian demonstrators. By abstaining, as it almost never does when Israel is under assault in the Security Council, the Bush administration permitted the resolution to pass, 14-0" (Associated Press, May 20, 2004).

Avoiding Moving our Embassy to Jerusalem:

** Fact: As reported on June 16th, "President Bush suspended moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel for six more months. The White House released a statement Tuesday announcing that the embassy would not move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for the next half year because of national security concerns" (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 16, 2004). Then-Governor Bush told at least three major Jewish organizations in 2000 that he would begin moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem "as soon as I take office" (remarks before AIPAC, May 22, 2000; remarks before the B’nai B’rith International Convention 2000, August 28, 2000; response to the American Jewish Committee’s Election 2000 Questionnaire, October, 2000). Then-Governor Bush's pledge was echoed by major media at the time: "George W. Bush, the front runner in the race for the Republican presidential candidacy, has declared that he will move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem the day he is inaugurated as U.S. president. Bush was speaking at a large gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Washington” (Ha’aretz, December 3, 1999).

Refusal to Call Arafat a Terrorist in 2002:

** Fact: The UPI wire service reported in 2002: “President George W. Bush on Monday said he would not label Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat a terrorist since the Arab leader remained engaged in peace negotiations despite a week of devastating suicide bombings within Israeli cities. ‘We've got a plan that will lead to peace. It's a security plan called Tenet, it's a political plan called Mitchell. Both sides have agreed to this plan,’ said Bush speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. The president said that Arafat's involvement in negotiating a peace settlement was prevented him from designating him a terrorist” (UPI/United Press International, April 1, 2002).

http://www.njdc.org/readNews.php?show=334&subcat=3

[geek tragedy]

1. He is pro-Likud, which in my book means anti-Israel

as Likud is trying to lead Israel down the path of ruin.

[bemildred]

2. Mega-dittoes geek. The most delusional piece posted this week. nt

[Blayde Starrfyre]

3. What a misleading title for this topic

To me, not completely lying down for Sharon and the Likud has absolutely nothing to do with being anti-Israel, let alone "too" anti-Israel. I agree with the previous poster, saying opposition to Sharonist policies is no more anti-Israel than criticizing Bush is anti-American. In fact, those positions are pro-Israel and pro-America respectively.

[AmericanErrorist]

4. Note the source of the article

Click on the link...


If you're not interested in that, let me just say this came from an organization that affiliates itself with one of America's two major political parties.

Guess which one.

[hansolsen]

5. Is there anyone left so delusional they think Shrub's war in Iraq is good

for Israel??

[Jackie97]

6. What?

Are you telling me that Bush actually did some things right? Something's wrong. :)

[Matilda]

7. Bush talked big, and did nothing.

One face for the world, the other (the one that winks) for Israel.