The Bush administration is going through a routine made familiar by previous administrations. It pretends to be upset at some fresh instance of Israeli violation of international law. A statement of mild criticism is issued. This, however, is immediately supplemented by far harsher criticism of the Palestinians. In fact, Secretary of State Colin Powell’s alleged "rebuke" of Israel was largely an attack on the Palestinians. "The hostilities last night in Gaza were precipitated by the provocative Palestinian mortar attacks on Israel. The Israeli response was excessive and disproportionate. We call upon both sides to respect the agreements they’ve signed." This is consistent with the Bush administration’s position that Palestinian resistance to Israeli military occupation is "terrorism" while Israeli violence is a "response to terrorism." Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers continue to pound away, using U.S. guns and helicopters. The assassination of Palestinian leaders goes on, as do the house demolition orders and the land expropriation measures. The administration would not dream of blocking sales of helicopter gunships and missiles. The $3 billion in foreign aid remains sacrosanct.
As for Sharon’s withdrawal from Gaza following the Powell Statement this was no tail-between-his-legs flight. At the United Nations, as always, the United States acts as Israel’s enabler. Recently, it vetoed a Security Council resolution that would have dispatched unarmed observers to the areas of conflict. Apparently, no one is to be allowed to take a look at Israel’s entirely defensive "responses to terrorism."
[Full text: http://www.nypress.com/14/17/taki/bunker.cfm]
Carl
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