Soccer Dad

Stupid Editorial $1.00; Sensible Reply Priceless

The NY Times was none too pleased with Bush's backing for Sharon as its editorial "Settlements over Peace" makes clear.

So much for the constructive mediator. In a costly blow yesterday to America's credibility as an honest broker for a Middle East peace, President Bush endorsed Israeli plans to retain some West Bank settlements and to essentially reject the Palestinians' "right of return."

I have little with which I agree with Sen Schumer on but on the subject of the Middle East, he has few peers as he wrote the next day.

I was surprised to find that in your April 15 coverage, analysis and editorial about President Bush's endorsement of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan, there was not a single mention of the Palestinian rejection of the peace agreement endorsed by Prime Minister Ehud Barak in 2001.

That proposal would have resulted in Israel's vacating virtually all the settlements in exchange for peace.

Yasir Arafat's rejection of this offer showed that settlements are not the casus belli of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but rather an excuse for Palestinians like Mr. Arafat who will never accept a two-state solution.

If only my two Democratic Senators (not to mention my Congressman Benjamin Cardin) from Maryland who are purportedly pro-Israel would speak out so forcefully and sensibly. Sigh.
Crossposted on Israpundit and Soccer Dad.

Posted by SoccerDad at April 18, 2004 11:23 AM