'Palestinians' will get a state, regardless

But Bush cool on idea of unilateral surrender

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By Ryan Jones
May 24, 2006

The message out of Washington Tuesday was that while the US and Israel would like to see the Palestinian Arabs become true partners for peace, the latter will be given the state they demand regardless of whether they fully recognize Israel and stop murdering Jews or not.

Meeting for the first time with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in that elevated position, US President George W. Bush was said to have given his tacit approval to the so-called "convergence" or "realignment" plan should a viable "Palestinian" peace partner not emerge in the coming six-to-nine months.

Said Bush at a joint press conference following the meeting:

"Our preferred option, of course, is there to be a negotiated settlement. On the other hand, as the prime minister said, that if he is unable to find a partner in peace, if nothing can go forward, he is willing to think about ways to advance the process forward."

In a manner reminiscent of Ariel Sharon playing up less-than-enthusiastic support for his "disengagement" plan, Olmert said Bush had responded to his initiative in a "very clear and remarkable way."

Olmert and his government believe that by handing over Judea and Samaria to a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority not interested in peace with Israel, they can somehow bring the nation increased security and lessen friction with the Arabs and the international community over the so-called "occupation."

Bush, on the other hand, sees Olmert's withdrawal plan, like Sharon's disengagement before it, as a means of jump-starting the all-but-dead Road Map peace plan.

But rather than jump start the peace process, Sharon's disengagement from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria led to the electoral victory of Hamas, making true peace more distant than ever. Many Israelis expect similar results from Olmert's policies.

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