Bush Hopes to Reward Terrorists with Palestinian State

Bush Hopes to Reward Terrorists with Palestinian State
by Nathan Poole, Guest Contributor

June 7, 2002

Contributor Nathan Poole President George W. Bush (R-TX) (AP) President Bush is holding fast to his idea that the surest way to attain peace in the Middle East is through the creation of a Palestinian state that would coexist with Israel.

"The president continues to believe that the best route to peace is through the creation of the state of Palestine and side-by-side security with Israel," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer has stated.

One major problem with the president's well-meaning belief that peace can somehow be fostered through the creation of a Palestinian state and "side-by-side security with Israel" is that the Palestinians have proven again and again that there is not now and never will be "side-by-side security with Israel." Despite Israel's best intentions, they cannot defend their borders if they give up total control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This has been proven throughout Israel's history, as it has been attacked on several occasions prior to extending its border for its own protection.

Who will defend Israel's weakened borders once a Palestinian state has been created? The Palestinians? What a joke! Contrary to the Bush Administration and the American media, the Palestinians do not envision a Palestinian state that lives peacefully beside Israel, but rather a Palestinian state that takes the place of Israel. The Americans? We seem far more concerned with pleasing the leaders of Middle Eastern powers such as Egypt and Jordan than protecting Israel and her citizens.

It is perfectly understandable that President Bush would want to make nice with his new Arab friends in the Middle East. After all, Mr. Bush needs their full support if he wants to continue America's so-called "war on terrorism," and he desperately needs their full support if he ever hopes to invade Iraq and oust Saddam Hussein without provocation. I haven't even mentioned the oil situation yet, and we already understand why poor Mr. Bush is so eager to please his mighty Middle Eastern counterparts.

Having stated that, however, it also needs to be stated that Israel is in the right concerning their conflict with the Palestinians. They have been ruthlessly attacked again and again by both rogue homicide bombers and state-sponsored terrorists. No matter what Israel has tried to do in the past-and Israel has tried everything-the Palestinians refuse to give up their tactics of terror and live in a peaceful environment side-by-side their neighbors.

Despite his smiling and hand shaking, Mr. Yasser Arafat is simply a lying terrorist. Supporters of Arafat will point out that he has been continuously involved with the peace process, even going so far as to attend summits and to sign treaties. I must point out, however, that Mr. Arafat has yet to make a promise that he intends to keep. His one goal during this entire conflict and mock peace process has always been and always will be to assure the complete and utter annihilation of Israel.

I do not believe in the destruction of the Palestinians, but they, unfortunately, appear to believe in the destruction of the Israelis. They have committed unthinkable acts of terror for no purpose other than to kill innocent people. Israel has tried to make peace, but the terrorism continued. Israel fought back, and the terrorism ceased. Bush urged Israel to step back-which they did-and the attacks began again.

Sadly, the world (America included) has chosen to look the other way. President Bush was kind enough to "give permission" to Israel to defend herself, but added a clear and stern warning. Through State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, Bush said that Israel had the right to defend itself, but should consider the possible consequences of its actions. I wonder if America was concerned about the possible consequences of the actions it would soon be taking when it was attacked by terrorists on September 11th. It is a widely held American view that terrorists should not be negotiated with. President Bush, though, wishes to reward them. ***

A native of San Antonio, Texas and a veteran of the United States Air Force, Nathan Poole is employed by the United States Postal Service. He lives in Irwindale, California with his wife and family.

Photo of the author courtesy of staff files
Photo of President George W. Bush (R-TX) courtesy of the Associated Press