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From the President's Desk...

The Administration Continues a Flawed
Middle East Policy

Table of Contents

Double Talk from President Bush
Ari Fleischer’s Comments to Excuse Arafat’s Terrorism
Arafat Goes Back On His Words
Arafat Leads Terrorism Against Israel – Linked to Suicide Bombings
Arafat Is Controlling the Terrorists
Weapons And Counterfeit Money Found At Arafat’s Compound
Arafat’s Strategy Behind the Oslo Accords Signing
Whole Arab World Is Against Israel
Saddam — The Peace Negotiator?
Unsuspecting Enemies of Israel
Saudi Arabia’s Money To Fight Israel
Egypt Against Israel
Terrorism Is Not Going To Stop
Arafat’s Real Motives
Mixed Messages from the White House
US Needs Israel
End Notes

 

Double Talk from President Bush

Tragically, President Bush continues to evade his role of providing world leadership in the current Israel-Arab conflict and once again emboldens the Middle East terrorists.  His actions also send a message to terrorists around the world that Yasser Arafat’s model of terrorism does pay.  The Administration continues to use double talk and rhetoric as it straddles both sides of the fence.  For example, the President said a day after Israeli tanks invaded buildings in Arafat’s government complex on the West Bank, “I can understand why the Israeli government takes the action they take.  Their country is under attack.”  (Scott Lindlaw, “Bush Supports Israeli Actions,” The Associated Press, March 30, 2002)  However, on March 30, 2002, at the United Nations (U.N.), the U.S. led other U.N. Security members in adopting a resolution that calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian cities. (Ibid)  Then on April 1, 2002, the President wrongly said that Yasser Arafat was exempt from the post-September 11^th U.S. policy that a country or entity harboring terrorists will be dealt with as terrorists.  According to Bush, Arafat should be exempt because of the Palestinian leader’s past history as a peace negotiator.  (Sonya Ross, “Bush Clarifies ‘Terror Doctrine,’ “ The Associated Press, April 2, 2002)

President Bush has continued to put Israel’s security at risk when on April 4, 2002, he urged Israel to end its military offensive against Palestinians.  Does he quickly forget that the Passover massacre on March 27, 2002, resulted in 27 deaths and 130 injured?  It is not by coincidence that since the Israeli military went on the offensive there has not been a major terrorist attack against Israel.  In fact, dozens of terrorist attacks have been prevented in Israel that are never covered on the News.  In one such case in a factory in the West Bank town of Salfit, Israeli military sources said troops on April 4, 2002, seized 40 explosive belts.  (Israelis seize 40 suicide belts from West Bank factory, World Tribune.com, April 4, 2002)

The security of Israel’s people is first and for most.  The President is wrong to ask Israel to open its doors and allow the free flow of Palestinians across its closed borders.  Does the President not realize that it was Israeli Arabs sneaking terrorist across the border to rein terror on the Israeli’s?  The situation would be more complicated and dangerous for Israeli citizens by allowing the free flow of Palestinians from areas that are known to be friendly and harboring terrorists.  Oddly the President continues to evade the fact that his war on terrorism cannot be won unless the Palestinian Authority (PA) is eliminated.  President Bush, stop being fooled by Yasser Arafat and his Arab allies.

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Ari Fleischer’s Comments to Excuse Arafat’s Terrorism

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, “ The situation in the Middle East is, indeed, different.” (Ibid)  Arafat signed the 1993 Oslo Accords, under which the Palestinian movement, for the first time, recognized Israel’s right to exist, he noted.  This resulted in a series of Israeli pullbacks on the West Bank and subsequent agreement on day-to-day security arrangements with Israel and a process for returning to peace negotiations.  Fleischer said, “That was not, is not, the case with al-Qaida.  And I understand you want to compare them, but that’s not a comparison that the President accepts.” (Ibid)

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Arafat Goes Back On His Words

The Administration said Arafat was a peace negotiator when he signed the September 1993 Oslo Peace Accord and agreed to stop terrorism and revoke provisions to the Palestinian Covenant that calls for Israel’s destruction.  However, Arafat repeatedly suspended security cooperation with Israeli security forces, failed to extradite terrorists wanted by Israel, and failed to crack down systematically on HAMAS and other radical Islamic terrorists.  Also, contrary to what some will say, the Palestinian Covenant that calls for Israel’s destruction was never revoked.

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Arafat Leads Terrorism Against Israel – Linked to Suicide Bombings

Recent reports directly link Yasser Arafat to the terrorist bombings in Israel.  Israeli troops recently searched through the files in Yasser Arafat’s personal accounting department in Ramallah and found an itemized bill detailing the cost of a suicide-bombing .  (“Arafat’s suicide-bombing budge Israeli forces find document detailing cost of operation,” WorldNetDaily.com, April 2, 2002)

Also, Israeli military intelligence officers said that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat had approved plans to send 30 suicide bombers to Jerusalem. (“Israeli intelligence: Arafat approves 30 new suicide missions,” World Tribune.com, April 2, 2002)

Arafat approved plans for combined efforts by his Fatah movement and such Islamic opposition groups such as HAMAS and Islamic Jihad to send at least 30 suicide bombers to Jerusalem said the officers. (Ibid)   Jerusalem became a target because of its symbolic importance to Arafat and his efforts to convert the city into a Palestinian capital. (Ibid)  

An intelligence officer said, “The operation is meant to carry out Arafat’s threat to send what he terms a million martyrs to Jerusalem.  When Arafat talks of martyrs, he means suicide bombers.” (Ibid)  

For missions in Israeli cities, nearly 100 suicide attackers were being prepared said the officers.  Attackers were being trained on how to avoid Israeli troops and cross from the West Bank into the Jewish state and were being equipped with explosive belts said the officers. (Ibid)  

Arafat pledged to send millions of martyrs to Jerusalem over the weekend.  Arafat urged Palestinians to participate in what he termed a mission of martyrdom in an interview with the Doha-based Al-Jazeera satellite channel. (Ibid)   Arafat said in a chant, ”To Jerusalem we march, martyrs by the millions.  To Jerusalem we march, martyrs by the million.  To Jerusalem we march, martyrs by the million.” (Ibid)  

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on April 1, 2002, was told that Arafat did not feel threatened by Israel and saught to destroy the morale of Israelis through repeated suicide bombings, by Brigadier General Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the intelligence research division. (Ibid)  

Furthermore, in recent days, acts of terror being committed  by the Fatah Tanzeem militia and by other terror organizations can be irrefutably linked with Yasser Arafat indicated documents uncovered by Israel. (Michael Widlanski, “Breaking News: Orient House DOCS Show Hands-On Arafat . PLO Archives: Arafat Controls Terror In Fatah Tanzeem And Other Organizations,” The Media Line, March 24, 2002)

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Arafat Is Controlling the Terrorists

Arafat and his lieutenants had been planning the current war on attrition called the Intifada well before September 2000, perhaps as early as late 1995, according to information suggested in other documents. (Ibid)  And reaching a peaceful compromise settlement with Israel has never been their intention. (Ibid) 

Uzi Landau, Israel’s Minister of Public Security declared, “ These documents-many of them signed by Arafat-are more than a smoking gun.  They are a smoking pen- a pen dripping blood-held by Arafat.” (Ibid) 

Close associations between Arafat and the institutions he controls and Islamic terror groups such as HAMAS and the Holy Land Foundation connected to the Islamic terror group HAMAS, were revealed by additional documents in archives seized by Israeli authorities. (Ibid) 

These same documents also indicated a strong relationship between the PA and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq including special monetary aid derived from Iraqi oil revenues made under special arrangement with the U.N.  (Ibid) 

Arafat is in day-to-day control of the details of all his organizations, relaying the information for comment to the senior members of his military branches. (Ibid)  Even military salaries are handled for the PA by Generals Haj Mutlik, Abdel –Razek Mujaida and Haj Ismail. (Ibid)

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Weapons And Counterfeit Money Found At Arafat’s Compound

Arafat’s Mukata compound in Ramallah served as the heart of a secret Palestinian operation to flood Israel with counterfeit money as well as large arms caches say Israeli officials.  The counterfeit money operation could have had far-reaching consequences including undermining the already-weakened Israel economy and assisting Arafat to pay the terrorists’ salaries said an Israeli army officer.  (“Arafat’s Counterfeiting Operation,” Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002)

Furthermore, in the headquarters compound of Palestinian leader Arafat, more then $100,000 in counterfeit American currency was found by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Michael Widlanski, “Updated Bulletin-Arafat Holds Counterfeit Dollars in His Headquarters, The Media Line, April 1, 2002)

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Arafat’s Strategy Behind the Oslo Accords Signing

The Administration as well as the State Department still does not understand or is just unwilling to accept that the Oslo Accords was just a Trojan Horse.  And it was Yasser Arafat’s intent to deceive the world that he wanted peace and recognition of the state of Israel.  The reason for Arafat signing the agreement was for his own personal gain and empowerment.  For example, in order to relocate from Tunis to Ramallah and Gaza, and to start establishing a national Palestinian entity in the territories, Arafat used the Oslo Accords.  Also, for an all out and prolonged struggle which will eventually bring Israel to a point of attrition, breakdown its society, and result in the Palestinian occupation of all the territory between the Jordan (river) and the Mediterranean, the peace negotiations were and are the intended  purpose of the Oslo process in Arafat’s mind.  (MEMRI: Special  Dispatch  254-Israel,” The Middle East Media Research Institute, August 12, 2002)

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Whole Arab World Is Against Israel

It is time for the U.S. to accept the fact that Arafat and his terrorists as well as the Arab world do not want peace with Israel.  It was Arafat who started the more the 18-month-old Intifada that has been murdering Israelis as well as Americans on a daily basis.  Yet when Israel responds to protect its citizens, it is their fault, and they are labeled the terrorists.  It was Israeli’s that were murdered by Arafat’s terrorist on Passover and the days that followed.  However, at a Muslim conference on terrorism on April 1, 2002, Islamic foreign ministers warned of  “all-out war.”  (“Islamic states warn of ‘all-out war’ in Middle East; split over terrorism, Agence France-Presse, April 1, 2002). 

The ministers said in a statement, “Israel’s terrorist actions and aggressive practices, posing a threat to international peace and security and dragging the region towards an all-out war, necessitate immediate action by the UN Security Council to apply Chapter VII of the UN Charter” (Ibid) By the 53 members of the 57 nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the statement was made unanimously. (Ibid)

Furthermore, Arab states were urged to allow volunteer fighters to cross borders and join the Palestinian uprising by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as he led a mass march through Tripoli to show solidarity with Palestinians on April 1, 2002. (“Libya’s Gaddafi Says Open Arab Borders to Fighters, Reuters, April 1, 2002)

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Saddam — The Peace Negotiator?

If one was to accept the flawed logic of the Administration that Arafat is a peace negotiater, then why is the President so focused and intent on removing from power the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein?  The Iraqi leader was at one time a peace negotiator when he agreed to a ceasefire giving the U.S. a victory in the 1991 Gulf War.  And even though Saddam continues to provoke confrontations in a relentless effort to wear down the resolve of the U.N. coalition that defeated him, his cheat and retreat tactics undermine the efforts of the U.S. just as Arafat uses similar tactics to undermine Israel.  Saddam Hussein and Yasser Arafat are both de-facto dictators that continue to oppose and murder their own people through their flawed policy but continue to blame their people’s demise on the U.S. and Israel, respectively.

The threat from Saddam Hussein and his acquisition of weapons of mass destruction poses an increasingly dangerous threat to Middle East regional stability, U.S. interests as well as other free democracies throughout the world.  Yet the Arab world has decided to use the Israeli-Arab conflict as an excuse to promote their anti-Israel, anti-U.S. and anti-west sentiment to make the U.S. believe that Saddam is not a priority. 

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Unsuspecting Enemies of Israel

Even moderate Arab states such as Kuwait are trying to use the U.S. as their pawn to put even more pressure on Israel to succumb to Arab demands.  One such example was when Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheik Sabah Salem Sabah said at a joint press conference on March 18, 2002, with Vice-President Dick Cheney, “Kuwait is not in support of any military strike on Iraq, not because Iraq is a friend of Kuwait but because the current circumstances are not appropriate.”  Instead of placing pressure on Iraq, he urged the U. S. to place additional pressure on Israel. (David R. Sands, “Arab leaders want focus on Israel, not Saddam,” The Washington Times, March 21, 2002)  Also, as pictures of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continued to dominate newscasts and front pages across the region, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa made it clear that Arabs have little patience for considering a strategy to confront Iraq.  (Alan Sipress, “Cheney Plays Down Arab Criticism over Iraq, “ the Washington Post, March 18, 2002.) 

On April 3, 2002, Bahrain announced that it will appoint an ambassador to Iraq.  Bahrain is home of the U.S. Navy’s 5^th Fleet Headquarters and is also the site of a pre-positioned U.S. Air Force war-reserve depot and for the region the base for regular U.S. Navy P-3 Orion reconnaissance operations.  Furthermore, Bahrain would be well aware of any U.S. military operations in the region because of its strategic importance.   (“Key U.S. partner warms to Iraq. Bahrain’s move could offer clue to Washington’s plans, WorldNetDaily, April 4, 2002)

The Bush administration has asked Iran to stop training, the Lebanese-based Hezbollah movement, one of 33 groups on the State Department’s list of terrorist organizations, but Iran has dismissed U.S. appeals.

Iran continues to finance and train Hezbollah insurgents in sabotage as well as operating anti-aircraft and other missiles say U.S. officials.  As much as $100 million annually is provided to Hezbollah they indicate. (“Iran continues to train, arm Hezbollah.    Dismisses U.S. appeal to quit assisting insurgents on Israel’s border,” WorldNetDaily, April 4, 2002)

However, Bush Administration officials caution that the public statement of these Arab leaders are often tailored to domestic audiences that may not reflect understanding and assurances reached behind closed doors.  (David R. Sands, “Arab leaders want focus on Israel, not Saddam, The Washington Times, March 21, 2002)  Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz noted: “There is a long record in diplomacy and particularly in the Middle East, I think it is fair to say, where people say one thing in public and another to you in private,” in a March interview on CNN. (Ibid)

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Saudi Arabia’s Money To Fight Israel

Daily as Israel fights its war on terrorism, the Administration uses its faulty logic to pander to the Saudi’s and other Arab leaders.  It tells Israel to show restraint while Israelis are murdered by Arafat directed terrorists.  In fact, in a recent CNN interview former Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said Yasser Arafat controls 90 percent of the terrorists that have been terrorizing Israel including Fatah, Force 17, and Tanzim.  Furthermore, the Saudi’s continue to be protected by the Administration as they say they are allies of the U.S. but instead are part of the problem not part of the solution.  For example, according to intelligence sources by all three investigating the affairs —  America, Israel, and the (Palestine Liberation Organization) PLO — the financing of the Karine-A arms-smuggling ship destined for the Gaza Strip came from Saudi Arabia. (“Saudis Financed terror ship.  Paid $10 million to Iran for arms destined for Palestinian intifada,” WorldNetDaily.com, January 17, 2002)

For the weapons cargo, Saudi Arabia paid $400,000 for the vessel and another $1 million to cover miscellaneous expenses, such as hiring the crew, fuel, repairs and port charges.  Saudi sources provided the $10 million paid over to Iran according to intelligence sources. (“Saudis Financed terror ship.  Paid $10 million to Iran for arms destined for Palestinian intifada,” WorldNetDaily.com, January 17, 2002)

To Yasser Arafat’s Intifada, Saudi Arabia was known to have refused financial aid until now.  However, it did provide funding only at its bases in Palestinian-controlled areas, Jordan, and Syria to the fundamentalist HAMAS. (“Saudis Financed terror ship.  Paid $10 million to Iran for arms destined for Palestinian intifada,” WorldNetDaily.com, January 17, 2002)

In Jeddah, Muslim charitable societies technically advanced the funds for the arms smuggling operation.  However, no sums of any such scale could have been sneaked out of the oil kingdom without the knowledge and consent of Saudi intelligence and government authorities-especially if they went through Abu Dhabi and Beirut say investigators. (Ibid)

Compared to the burgeoning transactions in train between Saudi Arabians and factions of the Iranian government and military intelligence the Karine-A funding is nothing say intelligence sources close to the investigation.  Also, some of the costs entailed in transferring al-Qaida fighters from Afghanistan via Iran to safe havens in the Gulf is now believed to be paid by Saudi Arabians.  (Ibid)

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Egypt Against Israel

No matter, how much the Administration capitulates to the Arab point of view, they still will be branded favoring Israel.  Preventing hegemony by Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, or any other hostile power over the Persian Gulf should superceded the Administration’s efforts in negotiating an Arab-Israel peace accord.   One may say that Egypt is an ally of the U.S. and that in 1979, Israel and Egypt made peace.  However, Israeli generals are worried about an Egyptian military resurgence.  The reason for this is that Israeli military intelligence found that Israel was the targeted enemy in all recent Egyptian army exercises. (“Israel’s latest worry: Egypt, “ Jane’s.com, January 22, 2002)

Acting quickly, Americans were asked not to supply Egypt with new, state-of-the art F-15s by Israel.  Initially the request was refused by the U.S. but after the Israeli’s proof, they changed their minds. (Ibid)

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Terrorism Is Not Going To Stop

Palestinian terrorists continue to tell the world that the violence will not cease until the occupation is ended.  Palestinian and Arab spokesmen commonly claim that Palestinian terrorism is the result of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

However, many Palestinian and Arab rejectionist factions like Hezbullah and HAMAS repeatedly declare since they refute Israel’s basic right to exist, they will continue their attacks even if Israel would fully withdraw from the territories.  This fact is contrary to the claims of Arafat and his Arab allies in the Western world.

The acceptance of the U.S., Europe, and many other nations of the world that the Israeli occupation is the root cause of terrorism is flawed.  History supports this premise.  For example, prior to the establishment of the state of Israel in May 1948 and the beginning of Israeli control over the West Bank and Gaza as a result of the Six Day War of June 1967, Israel was terrorized by Arab and Palestinian terrorists. (“Which Came- First-Terrorism or ‘Occupation’? Major Arab Terrorist Attacks against Israelis Prior to the 1967 Six-Day War,”  Independent Media Review And Analysis, March 28, 2002)

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Arafat’s Real Motives

Both Arafat and his Arab allies realize they cannot defeat Israel in an all out war even though they continue to use this rhetoric that an all out war will break out in the Middle East if the U.S. does not force Israel to accept all of the Arabs demands.  History demonstrates that this is the case in that each time the Arabs engage Israel militarily, the outcome is futile and Israel is victorious.  However, they have learned from their past mistakes and realize that the best way to defeat Israeli is to allow the peace process to disintegrate the Israeli society.  As long as Israel is hobbled by the U.S. and Europe to engage in the peace process and to concede to every demand that Arafat and his Arab allies put-forth and then change at their whim, it will never be able to live in peace. 

Arafat always speaks of how he is committed to the peace process and the formation of a Palestinian state to the West.  Yet he never mentions how he would develop a free and democratic government to rule his people.  He also does not indicate how he will help develop an infrastructure that will provide for such services as the treatment of wastewater or treatment plants that provide safe drinking water, or the building of new roads.  Contrary to what Arafat wants the world to believe, it was Israel in 1947 who was in favor of the formation of a Palestinian state, but the Arabs were not interested.  What needs to be pointed out is that for Arafat and his Arab allies, the issue is not the formation of a Palestinian state that can coexist in peace with the state of Israel but what is the best method the Arabs can pursue that will disguise their intended goal — the eventual destruction of Israel.

Arafat does not fear Israel or the U.S. because he knows the U.S. will continue to pressure Israel into a false peace.   From his point of view, this is a sign of weakness.  As the President continues his efforts to negotiate with Arafat and the Palestinians, he must realize he dealing with the same mindset that ruled Nazi Germany.   For example, among Palestinians Mein Kampf is a highly read text.   In the short-term they will disguise their long-term goal of the total annihilation of the Jewish state by offering an olive branch of peace. 

It is not Israel’s desire to occupy the lands that they have been moving their military into in recent days.  However if they do not take such actions, Israel will not survive as a nation.  No matter what President Bush may try to convey to the world, Arafat is a terrorist who is promoting terrorism against Israel and will not stop even though he lies to the Western world that he wants peace. 

Although the Administration may be promoting this premise and some policy analysts may agree with it, the actions of the Arab leaders convey a different message.  For example, it is hard to believe that the arms smuggling ship Karine-A passed through the Suez Canal with Egypt unaware of its cargo.  Arms are continually smuggled through tunnels from Egypt into Israel to the Palestinian terrorists, yet Egypt takes no action.  Also, in Egypt the government controlled and operated press is constantly spreading anti-Israel and anti-American sentiment.  It has even been reported that Saudi Arabia has provided funding for terrorists like HAMAS and have provided financing for the Karine –A.  It is now believed Saudi Arabians provided funds for some of the costs entailed in transferring al-Qaida fighters from Afghanistan via Iran to safe havens in the Gulf.  Furthermore, it has been reported that Iraq has provided special monetary aid to the PA from its Iraqi oil revenues made under special arrangement with the U.N. 

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Mixed Messages from the White House

The Bush Administration must stop sending out mixed messages about the Arab-Israeli peace process.  For example, a hard-line tone was expressed by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld on April 1, 2001, at the Pentagon who offered a searing indictment of Iran, Iraq and Syria are supporters of the terrorist “war on civilization.” (Barry Schweid, “Administration cities Iran, Iraq, Syria for fomenting terror against Israel,” The Associate Press, April 1, 2002)  For support they have given for years to groups whose assaults on Israel are now accelerating, Rumsfeld tore into Iran, Iraq and Syria.  (Ibid) He said, “Murders are not martyrs.  Targeting civilians is immoral, whatever the excuse.  Terrorists have declared war on civilization, and states like Iran, Iraq and Syria are inspiring and financing a culture of political murder and suicide bombing.”  (Ibid) The point of his declaration was “to make it clear to sponsors and supporters of terrorists that being a friend to terrorists, and by implication an adversary of the U.S., is not in their best interest.“ (Ibid)  Iran and Syria were accused specifically of funneling arms to Lebanon for use by terrorists. And for offering payments of up to $25,000 to families of Palestinian suicide bombers, he criticized Iraq.

A noticeable difference of tone was evident at the State Department.  Deputy spokesman for the State Department Philip Reeker said, “Terror will never advance Palestinian political aspirations.”  (Ibid)   He said Palestinian leaders must make it clear to the Palestinian people that terror and violence must stop and they must act now against those responsible.

Also, at Sharon’s military thrust into Ramallah, where Arafat is confined inside his West Bank headquarters by Israeli military force, Reeker added, “We’re gravely concerned at the situation in Ramallah and other areas where Israelis forces are moving.  We deplore the killing and wounding of innocent Palestinians.  And we urge Israel to use maximum restraint to avoid harm to civilians and permit access for humanitarian service.  We call upon Prime Minister Sharon to carefully consider the consequences of those actions and to keep open a pathway for peace.”

Reeker fails to understand that when Israel allows humanitarian services to the Palestinians, the Arabs exploit this opportunity as was the case on March 31, 2002 in an incident that involved the Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances.  In order to evacuate two wounded gunmen to a nearby hospital, PLO officials requested that Israel allow a Red Crescent Ambulance to enter Yasser Arfat’s Ramallah headquarters following a gun battle between Israel Defense Force (IDF) forces and Arab troops.  (“Ambulance Enlisted For PLO War Effort,” Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002) On humanitarian grounds, Israel agreed to this demand.  However, the two wounded men along with  fourteen healthy Arabs who were trying to smuggle themselves out of the besieged building were found inside the vehicles, upon inspection by Israeli forces.  Also, an ambulance driver working for the Palestinian Red Crescent was detained close to the Rama Bridge south of Ramallah by IDF soldiers last week.  (Ibid)  Hidden under a stretcher on which a sick Arab child was lying, an explosive belt and other explosive charges were being smuggled by the ambulance driver.  In order to transfer them to Tanzim activists in Ramallah Region, the driver admitted he was smuggling the charges. (Ibid)

Also, twenty wanted terrorists attempted to be smuggled out of Arafat’s headquarters by a delegation of western leftists activists and reporters.  By intermingling with the activists as they departed, the terrorist tried to escape undetected who were provided sanctuary in Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters.  Israeli soldiers took the entire group into custody.  Arafat met with the European activists and reporters who posed for photographs and presented a T-shirt to the PLO leader. (“Leftist Activists Attempt To Smuggle Wanted Terrorists, “  Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002)

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US Needs Israel

The Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting on terrorism issued a statement that branded the U.S as “an enemy and a partner of Zionism,” alleging that in the Palestinian territories, that the Israeli military offensive “was mounted in joint agreement with the American administration.”   However, this was denied by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer on March 31, 2002.  (“White House:  U.S. did not give approval to Israeli operation,” Reuters, April 2, 2002)  He said, “That’s not true.  The Israelis didn’t seek a green light.  We didn’t provide them one.” (Ibid)

This Administration must set as a high priority its close ties with Israel instead of favoring the formation of a Palestinian state or criticizing Israel when it fights its war against terrorism.  In this unstable region of the world Israel, the only democratic nation in the region, remains an important and dependable ally.  For example, in the form of military cooperation against threats from Iran, Iraq, Libya, and Syria, forward bases, and intelligence, Israel is a valuable asset to the U.S.   Also, in combating Middle East drug trafficking which supports terrorists activity and in developing military technology, Israel can help the U.S. in its war on terrorism.    With regards to potential Arab adversaries, the U.S. must do whatever it can to help Israel maintain its qualitative military edge.   On the other hand, it is time for President Bush to get tough with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and encourage him to pressure Arafat to cease the terrorism against Israel.  If he fails to comply it is time for the U.S. to begin to reduce its foreign aid to Egypt as well as other Arab nations that continue to condone Arafat’s actions of murdering innocent Israeli citizens. 

In terms of the peace process neither the U.S. or any other nation can impose a lasting Arab-Israeli peace.  This should be the message that President Bush conveys to the world, and to the greatest extent possible the Administration should minimize its role in the process.  And no matter how much criticism it will have to fend off, the U.S. should encourage the two parties to work out their problems and only when both sides request it suggest ways to break diplomatic impasses.  Direct U.S. involvement  was not involved when some of the biggest breakthroughs occurred in peace negotiations between the Arabs and Israelis.  For example, the 1977 visit to Jerusalem by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

What has been troubling is how long the State Department has taken to list foreign terrorist organizations on its list that have been murdering Israeli citizens.  Finally the State Department has added to its list of foreign terrorist organizations, making it illegal for Americans to provide funds or material support to the group Aksa Martyrs Brigades.  However, still not added to this list are Yasser Arafat’s Fatah Tanzim and his special presidential Force 17.

President Bush must realize that the Arab world is no friend to the U.S. and should stop promoting it as such to the American people and the world.  Arafat and his Arab allies will do whatever they can to draw the U.S. into this conflict hoping to embarrass America and portray it as a paper tiger.  Their eventual hope is that the U.S. will agree and be part of a peacekeeping force deployed to the region.  These troops would be at risk if fighting erupted because they would be deployed close to large armored forces in constricted areas and in positions that would become important military objects.  Also, such peacekeepers would be at risk to terrorist attack.  Arafat and his allies continue to use the U.S. as a pawn to catalyze the eventual destruction of Israel through the peace process.

The U.S. as well as other nations of the world must face the cold hard facts that the only way that Israel can live in peace in the Middle East is if they are allowed to negotiate from a position of strength.  This can only be achieved if they are given the green light by the U.S. and the rest of the free-world democracies to do what is ever necessary to eliminate their terrorist threat that continues to murder Israeli citizens daily.  President Bush must stop calling on Israel to withdraw its troops from Palestinian cities as it finds and eliminates terrorist that continue to murder Israel citizen.  Instead he should be praising Israel in its effort to fight terrorism and eliminating this threat to world peace.  If they are not allowed to continue their actions, there is no doubt that the terrorists’ focus will soon include attacks, on the U.S. or on U.S. concerns throughout the world.   

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End Notes

Alan Sipress, “Cheney Plays Down Arab Criticism over Iraq, “ the Washington Post, March 18, 2002

“Ambulance Enlisted For PLO War Effort,” Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002

“Arafat’s Counterfeiting Operation,” Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002

“Arafat’s suicide-bombing budge Israeli forces find document detailing cost of operation,” WorldNetDaily.com, April 2, 2002

Barry Schweid, “Administration cities Iran, Iraq, Syria for fomenting terror against Israel,” The Associate Press, April 1, 2002

David R. Sands, “Arab leaders want focus on Israel, not Saddam, The Washington Times, March 21, 2002

“Iran continues to train, arm Hezbollah.    Dismisses U.S. appeal to quit assisting insurgents on Israel’s border,” WorldNetDaily, April 4, 2002

“Islamic states warn of ‘all-out war’ in Middle East; split over terrorism, Agence France-Presse, April 1, 2002

Israelis seize 40 suicide belts from West Bank factory, World Tribune.com, April 4, 2002

“Israel’s latest worry: Egypt, “ Jane’s.com, January 22, 2002

“Israeli intelligence: Arafat approves 30 new suicide missions,” World Tribune.com, April 2, 2002

“Key U.S. partner warms to Iraq. Bahrain’s move could offer clue to Washington’s plans, WorldNetDaily, April 4, 2002

“Leftist Activists Attempt To Smuggle Wanted Terrorists, “  Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com, April 1, 2002

“Libya’s Gaddafi Says Open Arab Borders to Fighters, Reuters, April 1, 2002

MEMRI: Special  Dispatch  254-Israel,” The Middle East Media Research Institute, August 12, 2002

Michael Widlanski, “Breaking News: Orient House DOCS Show Hands-On Arafat . PLO Archives: Arafat Controls Terror In Fatah Tanzeem And Other Organizations,” The Media Line, March 24, 2002

Michael Widlanski, “Updated Bulletin-Arafat Holds Counterfeit Dollars in His Headquarters, The Media Line, April 1, 2002

“Saudis Financed terror ship.  Paid $10 million to Iran for arms destined for Palestinian intifada,” WorldNetDaily.com, January 17, 2002

Scott Lindlaw, “Bush Supports Israeli Actions,” The Associated Press, March 30, 2002 

Sonya Ross, “Bush Clarifies ‘Terror Doctrine,’ “ The Associated Press, April 2, 2002

"Which Came- First-Terrorism or ‘Occupation’? Major Arab Terrorist Attacks against Israelis Prior to the 1967 Six-Day War,”  Independent Media Review And Analysis, March 28, 2002

“White House:  U.S. did not give approval to Israeli operation,” Reuters, April 2, 2002

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