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Peace Process

Jerusalem scrambles following Bush speech


By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
September 22, 2004

US President George W. Bush Tuesday made scathing criticism of Israel’s settlement of its biblical heartland and the perceived “humiliation” of the Palestinian Arabs a centerpiece of his speech before the UN General Assembly.

In what some saw as a rejection of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s “disengagement” plan, Bush also demanded Israel avoid “unilateral actions that prejudice final negotiations.”

The president only vaguely called for a change in “Palestinian” leadership, and failed to insist the Arabs put an end to anti-Jewish terrorism.

His comments left Israeli officials scrambling to reassure the nation there was no rift between Jerusalem and Washington, and the Bush administration that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon intended to live up to his commitments.

Harsh criticism, unfair accusations

During his speech before the opening session of the UN General Assembly, Bush launched into a mini-tirade against Israel for its continued settlement activity and what he called “the daily humiliation of the Palestinian people [sic].”

His insistence that Israel “impose a settlement freeze” and “dismantle unauthorized outposts” was nothing new.

It seemed, however, to ram home the point that the US rejects any Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria, despite claims by the Sharon government that Washington approves of natural growth in the larger settlement blocs.

While the US State Department has long accused Israel of “humiliating” the Palestinian Arabs by setting up checkpoints and searching individuals and their vehicles for terrorist weaponry, Bush has only on rare occasion intoned such imagery.

The president failed to suggest how else Israel could ensure that the “Palestinians” do not transport bombs, guns and ammunition for use against Jewish civilians into Israeli population centers.

To sum up his criticism of Israel, Bush demanded that Jerusalem “avoid any actions that prejudice final negotiations.”

At least one Israeli news agency interpreted the statement as a public rejection of Sharon’s unilateral “disengagement” plan.

Sharon has gone to great lengths to convince Israelis that retreating from the Gaza Strip would enable Israel to solidify its hold on large settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria, with US approval and assistance.

Soft on terror

Turning to the “Palestinians,” Bush encouraged them to seek non-violent means of pursuing their goals, but failed to demand an end to anti-Jewish terrorism.

He also suggested that “world leaders should withdraw all favor and support from any Palestinian ruler who fails his people and betrays their cause” — a vague reference to Yasser Arafat.

Jerusalem scrambles to explain

Following the speech, Israeli officials were quick to insist there was no tension between Jerusalem and Washington.

In an interview with Israel Radio, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom downplayed Bush’s comments, saying that as a whole, the speech sent a “very firm message” in favor of a terrorism-free, democratic Middle East.

Shalom later met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and assured him of Israel’s ongoing efforts to remove “illegal” Jewish outposts.

He also said Israel remained committed to halting all settlement expansion, but restated Israel’s position that natural growth must be accommodated.

"No one can blame us for that," Shalom told reporters. "You can't force young people that are getting married out of their village or out of their settlement. It can't be."

A source in Shalom’s delegation further explained that while Israel “does not build new settlements in the West Bank or in Gaza… It adheres to the understanding where the only building that takes place is within the built-up area, to cater for current needs of each of the communities."

Deep disappointment

The Zionist Organization of America took special issue with Bush’s claim that Israel was “humiliating” the Palestinian Arabs on a daily basis.

In a press release, the ZOA pointed out that according to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of “humiliate” is:"To reduce to a lower position in one's eyes, or in the eyes of others."

“Israeli anti-terror security measures such as checking travelers for bombs at security checkpoints does not ‘reduce them to a lower position’ any more than does US airline security personnel checking airplane passengers for bombs before they board a plane,” the statement read.

ZOA President Morton A. Klein reminded readers that in the post-9/11 world "people who want to pass through security checkpoints, whether at Dulles Airport or in Judea and Samaria, should be checked="checked"="checked="checked""="checked="checked"="checked="checked""" for bombs.”

“Anything less would risk the lives of innocent people, whether in Israel or America."

While Bush criticized Israel for its use of military checkpoints, US troops in Iraq regularly use such means to defend against insurgent attacks. Washington insists its own measures do not constitute humiliation of the Iraqi people.

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