Rice`s Criticism Ruffels Few Feathers
Tovah Lazaroff and AP - Jun 16, 2008 Jerusalem Post
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice`s harsh criticism of Israel`s plan to continue building in east Jerusalem met with little panic and no formal response on Sunday, a sign - one government source said - that with less than five months to the US elections, "it is not that important what she says anymore."
Rice: West Bank building may harm talks "Comments that in the past would have set everybody abuzz, are not making much waves today," the source said. He attributed this both to the waning days of George W. Bush`s administration, and a growing realization that the chances of finalizing any "shelf agreement" with the Palestinians by the end of 2008 are slim, largely because of the political instability in Israel.
The source said that if the government could not make a decision on the cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip because of political considerations, as Defense Minister Ehud Barak has charged, then even less so would it be able to make the even more complicated decision about signing a final-status agreement with the Palestinians.
The source said that Rice`s particularly stern comments about the construction in the settlements and east Jerusalem were an indication of frustration that after 21 visits to the region as secretary of state, she was facing the prospect of leaving office in January without an agreement here. Rice, during each of her public appearances on Sunday, criticized Israeli construction activity. In comments made before meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in the morning, Rice said, "I`ve told the foreign minister that I will also raise the issue of settlements, because I`m very concerned that at a time when we need to build confidence between the parties, the continued building and the settlement activity has the potential to harm the negotiations going forward." And then, after meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, she said that while the US remained committed to the target date of completing a shelf agreement by the end of 2008, Israeli construction plans were hurting the negotiations. "It`s important to have an atmosphere of trust and confidence," Rice said. "Unfortunately I do believe, and the United States believes, that the... announcements taking place are having a negative effect" on talks.
The Interior Ministry announced plans on Friday to build 1,300 homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo, which is just beyond Jerusalem`s 1967 lines. And on Sunday, the Jerusalem Municipality announced that a city plan to build tens of thousands of new apartments over the next 12 years, including a couple of thousand in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, had received final approval. That included the 1,300 announced on Friday.
Rice, in a briefing to her traveling press later in the day, said she did not anticipate any "blinding breakthroughs" on the construction.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert`s spokesman Mark Regev said Israel drew a clear distinction between building in Jerusalem, and building in the West Bank.
"It is clear that the Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem will remain part of Israel," he said. "It is not realistic that we freeze the lives of people in Jerusalem.
" In her comments after meeting with Abbas, Rice voiced frustration over the slow pace of negotiations.
"This is not easy; it has not been easy at any time," she said. "If it had been easy, I think we would have probably ended this conflict by now and had an agreement."
She noted only minor improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank, where travel and commerce are hindered by a network of IDF roadblocks set up for security reasons, as well as Israel`s failure to remove unauthorized settlement outposts.
"I recognize that we haven`t made the progress that we would like to in terms of movement and access and removal of barriers," she said. "Particularly, I am concerned about the outposts, which are illegal, even under Israeli law, and so I would hope to see more movement." Rice held a dinner meeting Sunday evening with Olmert, and earlier in the day, in addition to meeting with Livni, also met with Barak and held a trilateral meeting with Livni and the head of the Palestinian negotiating team, former PA prime minister Ahmed Qurei.
She is scheduled to hold another trilateral meeting with Barak and PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad on mutual road map obligations, and the settlement construction issue is expected to be a major focus. She is scheduled to return to Washington later on Monday. Dani Dayan, who heads the Council of Jewish Communities of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, attacked Rice`s comments.
It was "impertinent and insolent" on her part to scold Israel for providing housing for its citizens in the heart of the capital, Dayan said.
"But most of the blame lies with the government of Olmert and Tzipi Livni, who have treated the way that Israel has been spat at in the face as if it were rain drops.
"When the Olmert-Livni government began, it prided itself on an understanding with the US president over the future of the settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria. It`s a sign of this government`s failure that within two years it has managed to lose international support even over [Jerusalem neighborhoods such as] Gilo, Ramot and Pisgat Ze`ev," Dayan said. It should have been clear to Olmert and to Livni that a construction freeze in Judea and Samaria would only move the diplomatic struggle into Jerusalem, he said.
Now the construction of a porch in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Eshkol has become a matter of urgent debate in the United Nations, Dayan said.
Tovah Lazaroff and AP contributed to this report.
3965 W. 83rd. Street #292 Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 I Phone: 913.648.0022 I Fax: 913.648.7997This site is designed for standards compliant browsers. If your browser is not standards compliant, download one here.Website copyright © 2006. Unity Coalition for Israel.
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Showing posts with label PEACE PROCESS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PEACE PROCESS. Show all posts
11 March 2008
Tzipi Livni gets slapped around by CondiSleeza...AGAIN!
WHEN WILL ISRAEL SLAP BACK?
(Rhetorical question... we all know the answer: Never!)
Blogmaster's articulation:
Take a close look at Tzipi's face and tell me if she doesn’t look like her pet dog just bit her in the touches. Look at CondiSleeza...did you ever see such a phony smile? When will Livini learn (for that matter, when will the broken Government of Israel learn) that the U.S. State Department has no lost love for the Jewish State?
Last week, Rice ordered Olmert to get our troops out of Gaza because the IDF's incursion into Rocket Land was making the U.S. look bad to their "friends" in the EU. Never mind about the victims killed or maimed by the palestinian rocketeers.
What did Israel do, what else?... we capitulated and withdrew our forces to allow Hamas to regroup and resupply.
Hamas welcomed the CondiSleeza brokered cease fire as a Victory. They also needed the time to assemble more missiles with larger warheads...to kill more Israeli children.
"Never mind" says CondiSleeza, "Uncle Sam will send you more dwindling dollars. You can buy more ambulances."
Okay, so the gruesome threesome (Olmert, Barak and Livini) smiled like naive children, and thought that Rice had somehow bribed the terrorists in Gaza... there would be a respite from the rocket attacks. Guess what? There was a respite while the Hamas leadership in consort with Hezbollah made ready for the coming Yeshiva Massacre in Jerusalem.
Almost immediately after the arab murderer had slaughtered our Sons in Jerusalem, CondiSleeza was on the phone to Olmert screaming "Restraint - Restraint - Do Not Retaliate!!!... I'll tell Tzipi how to respond...after all, she's coming to Washington, the Capital of Israel. As long as we have Washington, you don't need all of Jerusalem anyway!"
"Well, well, well Tzipi" said CondiSleeza about the massacre; "you know that this was just a "loan wolf" that did this because of the occupation, just an unfortunate isolated incident...no need for further bloodshed - you understand don't you?" "Of course" said Tzipi grimacing as ConciSleesza twisted and tightened the grip on her wrist.
"Now lets talk about Ehud's mistaken authorization to build more apartments for the growing Jewish population in the Jerusalem suburbs... don't you know that we don't want more Jews in Jerusalem? Can't you see that restarting construction at Givat Zeev could derail the peace process again and ruin George and my chance for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Here is what you will do as a result of the unfortunate attack on the boys school... you need to focus! It's not helpful to the process unless you keep focused on moving the political process forward and you Will speed up the implementation of the Roadmap now won't you? Once that is in place, all of your problems will be over ("Yes thought Rice as she twisted Livini's wrist, there won't be an Israel to worry about.") Now smile nicely for the cameras (photo above).
If that wasn’t the factual conversation, it was nevertheless, obviously on target. Rice, George Bush and Olmert are so narcissistic that they will do anything to go down in history as the great peacemakers of the twenty-first century. First the "Roadmap" and then the debacle at Annapolis will seal the fate of Israel and reserve their immortal places in the history books (or so they think... they obviously don't know Israelis very well, or do they Tzipi?).
Isn't it time that someone in Israel stood up for Israel, our land and our heritage? "If not now, when?"
(Rhetorical question... we all know the answer: Never!)
Blogmaster's articulation:
Take a close look at Tzipi's face and tell me if she doesn’t look like her pet dog just bit her in the touches. Look at CondiSleeza...did you ever see such a phony smile? When will Livini learn (for that matter, when will the broken Government of Israel learn) that the U.S. State Department has no lost love for the Jewish State?
Last week, Rice ordered Olmert to get our troops out of Gaza because the IDF's incursion into Rocket Land was making the U.S. look bad to their "friends" in the EU. Never mind about the victims killed or maimed by the palestinian rocketeers.
What did Israel do, what else?... we capitulated and withdrew our forces to allow Hamas to regroup and resupply.
Hamas welcomed the CondiSleeza brokered cease fire as a Victory. They also needed the time to assemble more missiles with larger warheads...to kill more Israeli children.
"Never mind" says CondiSleeza, "Uncle Sam will send you more dwindling dollars. You can buy more ambulances."
Okay, so the gruesome threesome (Olmert, Barak and Livini) smiled like naive children, and thought that Rice had somehow bribed the terrorists in Gaza... there would be a respite from the rocket attacks. Guess what? There was a respite while the Hamas leadership in consort with Hezbollah made ready for the coming Yeshiva Massacre in Jerusalem.
Almost immediately after the arab murderer had slaughtered our Sons in Jerusalem, CondiSleeza was on the phone to Olmert screaming "Restraint - Restraint - Do Not Retaliate!!!... I'll tell Tzipi how to respond...after all, she's coming to Washington, the Capital of Israel. As long as we have Washington, you don't need all of Jerusalem anyway!"
"Well, well, well Tzipi" said CondiSleeza about the massacre; "you know that this was just a "loan wolf" that did this because of the occupation, just an unfortunate isolated incident...no need for further bloodshed - you understand don't you?" "Of course" said Tzipi grimacing as ConciSleesza twisted and tightened the grip on her wrist.
"Now lets talk about Ehud's mistaken authorization to build more apartments for the growing Jewish population in the Jerusalem suburbs... don't you know that we don't want more Jews in Jerusalem? Can't you see that restarting construction at Givat Zeev could derail the peace process again and ruin George and my chance for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Here is what you will do as a result of the unfortunate attack on the boys school... you need to focus! It's not helpful to the process unless you keep focused on moving the political process forward and you Will speed up the implementation of the Roadmap now won't you? Once that is in place, all of your problems will be over ("Yes thought Rice as she twisted Livini's wrist, there won't be an Israel to worry about.") Now smile nicely for the cameras (photo above).
If that wasn’t the factual conversation, it was nevertheless, obviously on target. Rice, George Bush and Olmert are so narcissistic that they will do anything to go down in history as the great peacemakers of the twenty-first century. First the "Roadmap" and then the debacle at Annapolis will seal the fate of Israel and reserve their immortal places in the history books (or so they think... they obviously don't know Israelis very well, or do they Tzipi?).
Isn't it time that someone in Israel stood up for Israel, our land and our heritage? "If not now, when?"
07 February 2008
Egyptian Military Stops Palestinian Suicide Bombers
Blogmaster’s Comments: Two more Palestinians who are closely associated with our so-called “peace partner”, PA President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah terrorist organization have been identified as trying to kill Israelis. How much more incentive do we need to see that none of the Palestinians want true peace, not Abbas, not Fatah, and certainly not Hamas. The only ones who fail to realize this fact are Olmert and his cronies in the Knesset. And why are they so blind and adamant that the peace process must go forward? Not because they truly want peace, but because that is the only excuse that anyone can produce to prevent Olmert and the rest of his gang from losing their cushy jobs. How narcissistic can the Olmert Gang be…at the expense of the lives of their countrymen and the future of the State of Israel? I had been anxiously awaiting the release of the Winograd report because I believed that it would spell doom for Olmert’s bunch. How stupid could I have been not to think that political corruption and influence would not have directly affected the report’s outcome? So now the story is out and the Winograd commission members are admitting that Olmert was saved by their omission of the facts of his complete and utter failure not only as a Prime Minister, but as the Commander in Chief of our Military. Where do we go from here… what can we do to save Israel? The answer is obvious my friends. The answer is obvious if we want to stop Palestinian terrorism; the answer is obvious if we want Israel to be a Jewish State and homeland for Jews; the answer is obvious if we want to stop the useless shedding of Jewish blood; the answer is obvious if we want to stop the giving up of Jewish land; the answer is obvious my friends…. Courage, have the courage to do what is right… and do it soon!
Egypt nabs Palestinian bombers,
World Net Daily, Aaron Klein
JERUSALEM – Egyptian forces yesterday caught terrorists associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization attempting to infiltrate Israel with explosive belts, Egyptian security sources told WND.
Four Palestinian members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, were arrested last night in the Egyptian Sinai desert, which has a long, unprotected border with Israel, said the sources. Also, Egypt arrested six Hamas terrorists, the sources said.
The captured Fatah Brigades and Hamas members were carrying explosive devices purportedly for use in suicide bombings. The Egyptian sources would not say whether the captured Palestinians were themselves planning to become bombers or if they were to hand the explosive devices to others to carry out suicide operations.
Earlier this week, two Palestinian suicide bombers infiltrated the Israeli Negev desert city of Dimona. One bomber exploded his suicide belt, killing one Israeli civilian and wounding 11 others, including one person who was critically wounded. A second suicide bomber was shot dead by security forced before he could detonate his explosive device immediately following the first suicide attack.
The two suicide bombers were believed to have crossed into Israel from Egypt after Gaza-based militants 13 days ago blew up the Gaza-Egypt border wall, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to stream into the Egyptian Sinai desert. Israel has a long border with Egypt, much of which is unprotected. Hamas has claimed the two bombers originated in the West Bank and not the Gaza Strip.
It was unclear whether the Fatah terrorists arrested by Egypt yesterday included two potential suicide bombers Israel says are attempting to infiltrate the Jewish state.
According to terrorist sources and Palestinian security officials in Gaza speaking to WND, when the Egypt-Gaza border was breached two weeks ago, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Hamas and several other terrorist organizations sent several suicide bombers with explosive belts into the Egyptian Sinai desert with instructions to attempt to infiltrate into Israel.
Yuval Diskin, chief of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, warned during a speech to the Knesset yesterday that some Palestinian terrorists who crossed into the Egyptian Sinai desert the past two weeks relocated themselves to form terror cells in strategic areas bordering Egypt.
The Shin Bet chief said Israeli intelligence is aware of at least 20 specific locations at the Israel-Egypt border currently in use by Palestinian terrorists in attempts to infiltrate the Jewish state to carry out attacks. He said security has been boosted at those locations, but he stressed the need for Israel to immediate construct a security fence along the entire border.
3965 W. 83rd. Street #292 Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 I Phone: 913.648.0022 I Fax: 913.648.7997 Website copyright © 2006. Unity Coalition for Israel.
Egypt nabs Palestinian bombers,
World Net Daily, Aaron Klein
JERUSALEM – Egyptian forces yesterday caught terrorists associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization attempting to infiltrate Israel with explosive belts, Egyptian security sources told WND.
Four Palestinian members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's declared military wing, were arrested last night in the Egyptian Sinai desert, which has a long, unprotected border with Israel, said the sources. Also, Egypt arrested six Hamas terrorists, the sources said.
The captured Fatah Brigades and Hamas members were carrying explosive devices purportedly for use in suicide bombings. The Egyptian sources would not say whether the captured Palestinians were themselves planning to become bombers or if they were to hand the explosive devices to others to carry out suicide operations.
Earlier this week, two Palestinian suicide bombers infiltrated the Israeli Negev desert city of Dimona. One bomber exploded his suicide belt, killing one Israeli civilian and wounding 11 others, including one person who was critically wounded. A second suicide bomber was shot dead by security forced before he could detonate his explosive device immediately following the first suicide attack.
The two suicide bombers were believed to have crossed into Israel from Egypt after Gaza-based militants 13 days ago blew up the Gaza-Egypt border wall, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to stream into the Egyptian Sinai desert. Israel has a long border with Egypt, much of which is unprotected. Hamas has claimed the two bombers originated in the West Bank and not the Gaza Strip.
It was unclear whether the Fatah terrorists arrested by Egypt yesterday included two potential suicide bombers Israel says are attempting to infiltrate the Jewish state.
According to terrorist sources and Palestinian security officials in Gaza speaking to WND, when the Egypt-Gaza border was breached two weeks ago, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Hamas and several other terrorist organizations sent several suicide bombers with explosive belts into the Egyptian Sinai desert with instructions to attempt to infiltrate into Israel.
Yuval Diskin, chief of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, warned during a speech to the Knesset yesterday that some Palestinian terrorists who crossed into the Egyptian Sinai desert the past two weeks relocated themselves to form terror cells in strategic areas bordering Egypt.
The Shin Bet chief said Israeli intelligence is aware of at least 20 specific locations at the Israel-Egypt border currently in use by Palestinian terrorists in attempts to infiltrate the Jewish state to carry out attacks. He said security has been boosted at those locations, but he stressed the need for Israel to immediate construct a security fence along the entire border.
3965 W. 83rd. Street #292 Shawnee Mission, KS 66208 I Phone: 913.648.0022 I Fax: 913.648.7997 Website copyright © 2006. Unity Coalition for Israel.
10 January 2008
President George W. Bush -The father of the state of Palestine
The farce called democracy
David WilderJanuary 09, 2008
A couple of days ago a few young people were arrested for pasting posters of Bush, Peres and Olmert wearing Kafiyas, in Jerusalem. Today, three others were arrested for distributing information about our 'moderate piece partner,' Fatah, to foreign journalists. (It should be remembered that moderate Fatah security forces were responsible for the murder to Achikam Amichai and David Rubin two weeks ago.)
Israeli democracy at its best.
This is, of course, nothing compared to the police brutality used against demonstrators against Oslo during the dark days of the Rabin-Peres regime. But fear not, the present opposition has just begun, and too, the rallying forces of those bent on quashing any and all opposition Olmert's follies.
This is not the only example of Israeli despotism. In a week and a half the Supreme court is scheduled to again meet concerning Beit HaShalom in Hebron. The justice heading the supreme court panel of three judges is the court's president, Dorit Beinish. Beinish was reported to have met with the American ambassador to Israel a few weeks ago. The subject of their discussion: Judea and Samaria. This is a judge? This is a justice on the supreme court? This is the equivalent of the Chief justice of the supreme court? No, no, and no. Beinish is a politician, of the worst kind, who is utilizing her position on the high court of justice to espouse and implement her own political ideologies, without any hint of law or justice.
However, the problem is not only on the Israeli side. Our prestigious visitor's country has it's problems too.
U.S. presidents are experts in involving themselves in Israeli political activity. George W's daddy can be held responsible for knocking Yitzhak Shamir out of office. George Sr. refused to allow Israel to hit back when we were being bombed by Saddam, during the first Gulf war. He realized that Shamir's 'inaction' wouldn't play well in Israel. He rewarded Shamir's patience by intentionally refusing to grant Israel (Shamir) necessary load guarantees, which played up by the media, led to Shamir's defeat and Rabin's victory in 1992. We are still eating the fruits of Shamir's defeat today.
During the 1996 election between Peres and Netanyahu, then President Clinton came to Israel for a special 'conference' during which he addressed the Israeli public, saying, 'you have to choose between peace and the alternative.' The American president was, for all intents and purposes, campaigning for Peres. So much for foreigners not getting involved in internal Israeli politics.
And so it is today. It is quite customary that a foreign leader, when visiting Israel (or other countries for that matter), meet the premier, the president, the defense and foreign minister, and usually also the leader of the opposition. George W, however, refuses to meet opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu and hear his objections to the Annapolis process, which includes dividing Jerusalem, expulsion of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes, and creation of another terror state in the Middle East.
Bush's short conversation with Shas leader Eli Yishai has already made headlines. Would Shas really pull out of the government as a result of negotiations? "Meet the chairman of Shas," said Olmert to the American president, who shook Yishai's hand warmly. Bush had done his homework. Bush said he understood he needed to talk to Yishai the next day to convince him to stay in the government, and Olmert translated. Yishai smiled. "We will definitely talk about it," Yishai said. [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/943324.html]
I have no doubt that Bush will attempt to 'lean on' Yishai, and who knows, maybe even pay a surprise visit to Rav Ovadiah Yosef, who determines Shas policy. Yishai isn't the only politician in Bush's sights. Avigdor Lieberman can't be far behind. He is also threatening to walk out of the Olmert circus should 'core issues' Jerusalem, borders and refugees be discussed. And these are the exact topics Bush is pressuring Israel to negotiate away.
Bush is pushing. He is determined to be the father of the state of Palestine prior to the conclusion of his presidency. Olmert is feeling the heat – lots of heat. He knows that in three weeks, with the release of Winograd, his position in Kadima and as prime minister is in jeopardy. The only way he can save himself is to prove that he, and only he, can be the savior of Israel, palestine and the piece process. This being the case, both will know no limits; whatever it takes to achieve the goal is legitimate. The ends justify the means.
This is the farce called democracy.
David WilderJanuary 09, 2008
A couple of days ago a few young people were arrested for pasting posters of Bush, Peres and Olmert wearing Kafiyas, in Jerusalem. Today, three others were arrested for distributing information about our 'moderate piece partner,' Fatah, to foreign journalists. (It should be remembered that moderate Fatah security forces were responsible for the murder to Achikam Amichai and David Rubin two weeks ago.)
Israeli democracy at its best.
This is, of course, nothing compared to the police brutality used against demonstrators against Oslo during the dark days of the Rabin-Peres regime. But fear not, the present opposition has just begun, and too, the rallying forces of those bent on quashing any and all opposition Olmert's follies.
This is not the only example of Israeli despotism. In a week and a half the Supreme court is scheduled to again meet concerning Beit HaShalom in Hebron. The justice heading the supreme court panel of three judges is the court's president, Dorit Beinish. Beinish was reported to have met with the American ambassador to Israel a few weeks ago. The subject of their discussion: Judea and Samaria. This is a judge? This is a justice on the supreme court? This is the equivalent of the Chief justice of the supreme court? No, no, and no. Beinish is a politician, of the worst kind, who is utilizing her position on the high court of justice to espouse and implement her own political ideologies, without any hint of law or justice.
However, the problem is not only on the Israeli side. Our prestigious visitor's country has it's problems too.
U.S. presidents are experts in involving themselves in Israeli political activity. George W's daddy can be held responsible for knocking Yitzhak Shamir out of office. George Sr. refused to allow Israel to hit back when we were being bombed by Saddam, during the first Gulf war. He realized that Shamir's 'inaction' wouldn't play well in Israel. He rewarded Shamir's patience by intentionally refusing to grant Israel (Shamir) necessary load guarantees, which played up by the media, led to Shamir's defeat and Rabin's victory in 1992. We are still eating the fruits of Shamir's defeat today.
During the 1996 election between Peres and Netanyahu, then President Clinton came to Israel for a special 'conference' during which he addressed the Israeli public, saying, 'you have to choose between peace and the alternative.' The American president was, for all intents and purposes, campaigning for Peres. So much for foreigners not getting involved in internal Israeli politics.
And so it is today. It is quite customary that a foreign leader, when visiting Israel (or other countries for that matter), meet the premier, the president, the defense and foreign minister, and usually also the leader of the opposition. George W, however, refuses to meet opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu and hear his objections to the Annapolis process, which includes dividing Jerusalem, expulsion of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes, and creation of another terror state in the Middle East.
Bush's short conversation with Shas leader Eli Yishai has already made headlines. Would Shas really pull out of the government as a result of negotiations? "Meet the chairman of Shas," said Olmert to the American president, who shook Yishai's hand warmly. Bush had done his homework. Bush said he understood he needed to talk to Yishai the next day to convince him to stay in the government, and Olmert translated. Yishai smiled. "We will definitely talk about it," Yishai said. [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/943324.html]
I have no doubt that Bush will attempt to 'lean on' Yishai, and who knows, maybe even pay a surprise visit to Rav Ovadiah Yosef, who determines Shas policy. Yishai isn't the only politician in Bush's sights. Avigdor Lieberman can't be far behind. He is also threatening to walk out of the Olmert circus should 'core issues' Jerusalem, borders and refugees be discussed. And these are the exact topics Bush is pressuring Israel to negotiate away.
Bush is pushing. He is determined to be the father of the state of Palestine prior to the conclusion of his presidency. Olmert is feeling the heat – lots of heat. He knows that in three weeks, with the release of Winograd, his position in Kadima and as prime minister is in jeopardy. The only way he can save himself is to prove that he, and only he, can be the savior of Israel, palestine and the piece process. This being the case, both will know no limits; whatever it takes to achieve the goal is legitimate. The ends justify the means.
This is the farce called democracy.
08 December 2007
UNDER OLMERT, ISRAEL HAS NO SOVEREIGNTY
UNDER OLMERT, ISRAEL HAS NO SOVEREIGNTY
by Budy Macy
Last Monday, the day before the Annapolis summit, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert categorically rejected assertions by American Jewish leaders that Jerusalem is not an Israeli issue but "a Jewish one.""Does any Jewish organization have the right to confer upon Israel what it negotiates or not?" Olmert responded sharply. "This question was decided a long time ago. The government of Israel has a sovereign right to negotiate anything on behalf of Israel."
(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1195546778167&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter)
It is ironic that Olmert chose the words, "sovereign right," to describe Israel's relationship with Jews in the Diaspora; especially, when he has assigned that very right -- of making decisions about the future of Israel and Jewish settlement there -- to the U.S . State Department, arguably one of the Jewish People's most bitter enemies since the 1930's, by authorizing the United States to become the sole arbiter of peace agreements between the Israelis and "Palestinian" Arabs.
Apparently, it is treif for Israel toshare her sovereignty with Jews around the world, but it is glatt kosher to hand it over, outright, to her enemy.Unfortunately, this is not the first time Mr. Olmert has abrogated Israel's status as a sovereign nation; he has been doing it continually since taking office last year.
The most vital and basic responsibility of a nation's leader is to ensure the security of its citizens. Despite Israel's vast military resources, Olmert has permitted the Israelis in Sderot and throughout the western Negev to be the target of daily rocket attacks from Gaza. Equally as shocking, he has refused to supply those communities with adequate bomb shelters. There is no excuse for this insidious behavior.And, recently, Olmert has relinquished Israel's sovereignty by taking actions that are responsible for more death and despair. He has released hundreds of terrorists from Israeli prisons; he has vacatedand/or eased checkpoints, allowing terrorists much greater movement inside Israel; and, he has given the "Palestinian" Arabs a huge supply of tanks and weaponry, while beginning, in earnest, to *dis*arm his own citizens.
Mr. Olmert: your actions and inactions contradict every principle inherent in the term, "sovereign." You are kidding no one with your empty words. Your fully *dependent* role as Prime Minister, that of embracing and carrying out the world's "peace" plan for the ethnic cleansing of Jews inIsrael, will permanently eliminate the need for Jewish or Israeli sovereignty over the "Jewish State."
Buddy Macy
by Budy Macy
Last Monday, the day before the Annapolis summit, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert categorically rejected assertions by American Jewish leaders that Jerusalem is not an Israeli issue but "a Jewish one.""Does any Jewish organization have the right to confer upon Israel what it negotiates or not?" Olmert responded sharply. "This question was decided a long time ago. The government of Israel has a sovereign right to negotiate anything on behalf of Israel."
(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1195546778167&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter)
It is ironic that Olmert chose the words, "sovereign right," to describe Israel's relationship with Jews in the Diaspora; especially, when he has assigned that very right -- of making decisions about the future of Israel and Jewish settlement there -- to the U.S . State Department, arguably one of the Jewish People's most bitter enemies since the 1930's, by authorizing the United States to become the sole arbiter of peace agreements between the Israelis and "Palestinian" Arabs.
Apparently, it is treif for Israel toshare her sovereignty with Jews around the world, but it is glatt kosher to hand it over, outright, to her enemy.Unfortunately, this is not the first time Mr. Olmert has abrogated Israel's status as a sovereign nation; he has been doing it continually since taking office last year.
The most vital and basic responsibility of a nation's leader is to ensure the security of its citizens. Despite Israel's vast military resources, Olmert has permitted the Israelis in Sderot and throughout the western Negev to be the target of daily rocket attacks from Gaza. Equally as shocking, he has refused to supply those communities with adequate bomb shelters. There is no excuse for this insidious behavior.And, recently, Olmert has relinquished Israel's sovereignty by taking actions that are responsible for more death and despair. He has released hundreds of terrorists from Israeli prisons; he has vacatedand/or eased checkpoints, allowing terrorists much greater movement inside Israel; and, he has given the "Palestinian" Arabs a huge supply of tanks and weaponry, while beginning, in earnest, to *dis*arm his own citizens.
Mr. Olmert: your actions and inactions contradict every principle inherent in the term, "sovereign." You are kidding no one with your empty words. Your fully *dependent* role as Prime Minister, that of embracing and carrying out the world's "peace" plan for the ethnic cleansing of Jews inIsrael, will permanently eliminate the need for Jewish or Israeli sovereignty over the "Jewish State."
Buddy Macy
Sitting ducks in Judea and Samaria?
pxffue
As those of you who have visited Israel undoubtedly know already, we may be the ultimate proof for the anti-gun control lobby's claim that "guns don't kill people; people kill people." In addition to active duty soldiers who routinely wander our streets with automatic weapons, a large portion of the country's citizens pack a hand gun in their belt loop (with permission). This is especially true of those Jews who reside in Judea and Samaria, where the ability to get out of one's car and shoot a weapon in the air can often be the difference between life and death. Yet criminal shootings and other violent crimes using guns are a rarity here.
As those of you who have visited Israel undoubtedly know already, we may be the ultimate proof for the anti-gun control lobby's claim that "guns don't kill people; people kill people." In addition to active duty soldiers who routinely wander our streets with automatic weapons, a large portion of the country's citizens pack a hand gun in their belt loop (with permission). This is especially true of those Jews who reside in Judea and Samaria, where the ability to get out of one's car and shoot a weapon in the air can often be the difference between life and death. Yet criminal shootings and other violent crimes using guns are a rarity here.
The Olmert-Barak-Livni government has a problem. They currently have some 400,000 Jews in Judea, Samaria and 'east' Jerusalem, who will need to be 'resettled' if God forbid the country ever goes back to the 1967 Auschwitz borders. Considering that they have not yet succeeded in 'resettling' most of the 10,000 Jews who were expelled from their Gaza homes two years ago, one cannot have great expectations for how long it might take to 'resettle' 400,000 Jews. So the Olmert-Barak-Livni government junta has hit on a solution: They're going to have the 'Palestinians' help them to reduce the number of Jews.
Two weeks ago, I reported that the Olmert-Barak-Livni junta had decided to allow the 'Palestinians' to purchase 25 armored vehicles immediately - and another 25 down the road - so that they can maintain 'order' in Judea and Samaria. As a bonus, at the same time, the Olmert-Barak-Livni junta also allowed the 'Palestinians' 1000 rifles and some two million rounds of ammunition. Now that the 'Palestinians' have been armed to the teeth, the junta is taking steps to ensure that the Jews won't be armed at all (Hat Tip: Killian Bundy). Channel 10 (cable) news reported last night that the IDF is conducting a large-scale operation to confiscate weapons from Jews in Judea and Samaria. Although this is nominally being called a 'license check,' the goal is clear: to reduce the number of weapons in the hands of Jews in Judea and Samaria so as to (a) Make them sitting ducks for the 'Palestinians' and (b) Quash any thoughts of attempting to remain in areas that the junta ultimately surrenders.
The security coordinators of the communities in Samaria have been summoned to a meeting with IDF officers Thursday, and community leaders are convinced that the IDF intends to collect many of the weapons in the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.Hillel Reinus of Yitzhar said: "I have no idea who is giving the order, it seems to be coming from up high, but they've decided to take the weapons away from everyone." Another resident of the community, Yigal Amitai, added, "They are abandoning citizens, it is an irresponsibile act, but everything pales compared to reality."
None of the three 'mainstream media' English language sites is reporting this story. And the only MK who appears to be moved by it is National Union/National Religious Party's Aryeh Eldad:
- MK Aryeh Eldad (NU/NRP) wrote a letter to Defense Minister Ehud Barak following the report, saying, "Army representatives have recently informed the military security coordinators that they intend to collect most of the weapons which the residents of Judea and Samaria use for self-defense. When a move such as this is made along with the release of hundreds of terrorists, the deployment of Palestinian policemen in Shechem (three of whom were involved in the murder of Ido Zoldan) and the arming of these policemen with weapons, ammunition and armored personnel carriers, this amounts to making the settlers fair game and sending the terror organizations a clear message that they may murder Jews."
- "When all this is done against the backdrop of your announcement that you are joining the 'expulsion/compensation' plan, this amounts to blackmail. You are trying to encourage Jews to run away from Judea and Samaria, and in order to prod them along you are taking away their weapons and urging terrorists to attack them," he wrote."
- With this letter," Eldad concluded, "I wish to inform you that the settlers of Judea and Samaria will hold you personally responsible for any casualties among the Jews in Judea and Samaria from now on, unless you immediately put an end to the process of collecting the settlers' weapons."
- But the revenants are not sitting idly by. They have a different plan: A Jewish state in Judea and Samaria:
SOS Israel is planning a campaign to choose a flag and anthem for the new Jewish state it plans to erect in the West Bank in the event of an Israeli withdrawal from the territories.The initiative will be published in this week's "Our Land of Israel," a pamphlet distributed in synagogues on Shabbat. A prize of several thousand shekels will be awarded to the participant whose design is adopted.
In an article entitled "The Coming Earthquake," Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe [pictured above. CiJ] writes: "In the wake of the Annapolis Conference at which the Israeli government agreed to the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem and the defense minister's (Ehud Barak) proposed 'evacuation compensation' law, many are asking themselves 'what can I do now?'."
"Are we just going to stand aside like lambs to the slaughter while the malicious government destroys the lives of tens of thousands of Israeli families, as we did to our brothers in Gush Katif?
Are we going to surrender to the 'axis of evil' in Jerusalem and help it turn 120 thousand Jews into refugees in their own land, hundreds of thriving communities into mere rubble? Is it possible to lend a hand to something which threatens the very physical existence of millions of Jews?" [120,000 is - if I am not mistaken - the number of Jews who now live outside the route of the 'security fence.' So much for anyone who deluded themselves that it was not intended to be a border (and yes, there were people who bought that delusion five years ago). CiJ]Before hordes of anxious talkbackers hit reply, the rabbi has his own answer to these questions: "The answer is simple," he writes. "First of all we must understand that 'it will come to pass,' in other words- to internalize the lessons of the cruel expulsion from Gush Katif and to cease living in illusions. It is upon us to choose if we want to be brought to the slaughter, God forbid, or to stand up for our lives against the government's intentions.
"There is no doubt then that the only solution is to immediately declare the establishment of an autonomous Jewish state in Judea and Samaria. The time has come to seriously consider erecting a legal body that will unite the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria as a state-to-be," Rabbi Wolpe wrote. Read it all. It goes on to talk about a pledge not to expel Jews from their homes that all IDF inductees are being asked to sign.
the high percentage of revenants and others (principally religious soldiers) who might be willing to sign that pledge and the high percentage of religious soldiers in the IDF's officer corps and combat units, the junta has to take this threat seriously.
Look for Rabbi Wolpe to be summoned for questioning - and possibly even be placed in 'administrative detention' (which can also be done as house arrest) in the near future. That was the favorite tactic of the Rabin-Peres government that inflicted the Oslo disaster on us.
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04 December 2007
This is the Roadmap to Peace???
If you really want to know what the specifics of the road map are., read below.
and You decide if this is the "Roadmap to Peace"
Source: State Department web page.
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 30, 2003
A Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The following is a performance-based and goal-driven roadmap, with clear phases, timelines, target dates, and benchmarks aiming at progress through reciprocal steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, humanitarian, and institution-building fields, under the auspices of the Quartet [the United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia]. The destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005, as presented in President Bush’s speech of 24 June, and welcomed by the EU, Russia and the UN in the 16 July and 17 September Quartet Ministerial statements.
A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty, and through Israel’s readiness to do what is necessary for a democratic Palestinian state to be established, and a clear, unambiguous acceptance by both parties of the goal of a negotiated settlement as described below. The Quartet will assist and facilitate implementation of the plan, starting in Phase I, including direct discussions between the parties as required. The plan establishes a realistic timeline for implementation. However, as a performance-based plan, progress will require and depend upon the good faith efforts of the parties, and their compliance with each of the obligations outlined below. Should the parties perform their obligations rapidly, progress within and through the phases may come sooner than indicated in the plan. Non-compliance with obligations will impede progress.
A settlement, negotiated between the parties, will result in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors. The settlement will resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and end the occupation that began in 1967, based on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principle of land for peace, UNSCRs 242, 338 and 1397, agreements previously reached by the parties, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah – endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit – calling for acceptance of Israel as a neighbor living in peace and security, in the context of a comprehensive settlement. This initiative is a vital element of international efforts to promote a comprehensive peace on all tracks, including the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks.
The Quartet will meet regularly at senior levels to evaluate the parties' performance on implementation of the plan. In each phase, the parties are expected to perform their obligations in parallel, unless otherwise indicated.
Phase I: Ending Terror And Violence, Normalizing Palestinian Life, and Building Palestinian Institutions -- Present to May 2003
In Phase I, the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence according to the steps outlined below; such action should be accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel. Palestinians and Israelis resume security cooperation based on the Tenet work plan to end violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective Palestinian security services. Palestinians undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood, including drafting a Palestinian constitution, and free, fair and open elections upon the basis of those measures. Israel takes all necessary steps to help normalize Palestinian life. Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed at that time, as security performance and cooperation progress. Israel also freezes all settlement activity, consistent with the Mitchell report.
At the outset of Phase I:
• Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere. All official Palestinian institutions end incitement against Israel.
• Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel, as expressed by President Bush, and calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians everywhere. All official Israeli institutions end incitement against Palestinians.
Security
• Palestinians declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere.
• Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.
• GOI takes no actions undermining trust, including deportations, attacks on civilians; confiscation and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property, as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction; destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure; and other measures specified in the Tenet work plan.
• Relying on existing mechanisms and on-the-ground resources, Quartet representatives begin informal monitoring and consult with the parties on establishment of a formal monitoring mechanism and its implementation.
• Implementation, as previously agreed, of U.S. rebuilding, training and resumed security cooperation plan in collaboration with outside oversight board (U.S.–Egypt–Jordan). Quartet support for efforts to achieve a lasting, comprehensive cease-fire.
o All Palestinian security organizations are consolidated into three services reporting to an empowered Interior Minister.
o Restructured/retrained Palestinian security forces and IDF counterparts progressively resume security cooperation and other undertakings in implementation of the Tenet work plan, including regular senior-level meetings, with the participation of U.S. security officials.
• Arab states cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror.
• All donors providing budgetary support for the Palestinians channel these funds through the Palestinian Ministry of Finance's Single Treasury Account.
• As comprehensive security performance moves forward, IDF withdraws progressively from areas occupied since September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed prior to September 28, 2000. Palestinian security forces redeploy to areas vacated by IDF.
Palestinian Institution-Building
• Immediate action on credible process to produce draft constitution for Palestinian statehood. As rapidly as possible, constitutional committee circulates draft Palestinian constitution, based on strong parliamentary democracy and cabinet with empowered prime minister, for public comment/debate. Constitutional committee proposes draft document for submission after elections for approval by appropriate Palestinian institutions.
• Appointment of interim prime minister or cabinet with empowered executive authority/decision-making body.
• GOI fully facilitates travel of Palestinian officials for PLC and Cabinet sessions, internationally supervised security retraining, electoral and other reform activity, and other supportive measures related to the reform efforts.
• Continued appointment of Palestinian ministers empowered to undertake fundamental reform. Completion of further steps to achieve genuine separation of powers, including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose.
• Establishment of independent Palestinian election commission. PLC reviews and revises election law.
• Palestinian performance on judicial, administrative, and economic benchmarks, as established by the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform.
• As early as possible, and based upon the above measures and in the context of open debate and transparent candidate selection/electoral campaign based on a free, multi-party process, Palestinians hold free, open, and fair elections.
• GOI facilitates Task Force election assistance, registration of voters, movement of candidates and voting officials. Support for NGOs involved in the election process.
• GOI reopens Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem based on a commitment that these institutions operate strictly in accordance with prior agreements between the parties.
Humanitarian Response
• Israel takes measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Israel and Palestinians implement in full all recommendations of the Bertini report to improve humanitarian conditions, lifting curfews and easing restrictions on movement of persons and goods, and allowing full, safe, and unfettered access of international and humanitarian personnel.
• AHLC reviews the humanitarian situation and prospects for economic development in the West Bank and Gaza and launches a major donor assistance effort, including to the reform effort.
• GOI and PA continue revenue clearance process and transfer of funds, including arrears, in accordance with agreed, transparent monitoring mechanism.
Civil Society
• Continued donor support, including increased funding through PVOs/NGOs, for people to people programs, private sector development and civil society initiatives.
Settlements
• GOI immediately dismantles settlement outposts erected since March 2001.
• Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).
Phase II: Transition -- June 2003-December 2003
In the second phase, efforts are focused on the option of creating an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and attributes of sovereignty, based on the new constitution, as a way station to a permanent status settlement. As has been noted, this goal can be achieved when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror, willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty. With such a leadership, reformed civil institutions and security structures, the Palestinians will have the active support of the Quartet and the broader international community in establishing an independent, viable, state.
Progress into Phase II will be based upon the consensus judgment of the Quartet of whether conditions are appropriate to proceed, taking into account performance of both parties. Furthering and sustaining efforts to normalize Palestinian lives and build Palestinian institutions, Phase II starts after Palestinian elections and ends with possible creation of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders in 2003. Its primary goals are continued comprehensive security performance and effective security cooperation, continued normalization of Palestinian life and institution-building, further building on and sustaining of the goals outlined in Phase I, ratification of a democratic Palestinian constitution, formal establishment of office of prime minister, consolidation of political reform, and the creation of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
• International Conference: Convened by the Quartet, in consultation with the parties, immediately after the successful conclusion of Palestinian elections, to support Palestinian economic recovery and launch a process, leading to establishment of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders.
o Such a meeting would be inclusive, based on the goal of a comprehensive Middle East peace (including between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon), and based on the principles described in the preamble to this document.
o Arab states restore pre-intifada links to Israel (trade offices, etc.).
o Revival of multilateral engagement on issues including regional water resources, environment, economic development, refugees, and arms control issues.
• New constitution for democratic, independent Palestinian state is finalized and approved by appropriate Palestinian institutions. Further elections, if required, should follow approval of the new constitution.
• Empowered reform cabinet with office of prime minister formally established, consistent with draft constitution.
• Continued comprehensive security performance, including effective security cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I.
• Creation of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders through a process of Israeli-Palestinian engagement, launched by the international conference. As part of this process, implementation of prior agreements, to enhance maximum territorial contiguity, including further action on settlements in conjunction with establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
• Enhanced international role in monitoring transition, with the active, sustained, and operational support of the Quartet.
• Quartet members promote international recognition of Palestinian state, including possible UN membership.
Phase III: Permanent Status Agreement and End of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict -- 2004 – 2005
Progress into Phase III, based on consensus judgment of Quartet, and taking into account actions of both parties and Quartet monitoring. Phase III objectives are consolidation of reform and stabilization of Palestinian institutions, sustained, effective Palestinian security performance, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at a permanent status agreement in 2005.
• Second International Conference: Convened by Quartet, in consultation with the parties, at beginning of 2004 to endorse agreement reached on an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and formally to launch a process with the active, sustained, and operational support of the Quartet, leading to a final, permanent status resolution in 2005, including on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements; and, to support progress toward a comprehensive Middle East settlement between Israel and Lebanon and Israel and Syria, to be achieved as soon as possible.
• Continued comprehensive, effective progress on the reform agenda laid out by the Task Force in preparation for final status agreement.
• Continued sustained and effective security performance, and sustained, effective security cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I.
• International efforts to facilitate reform and stabilize Palestinian institutions and the Palestinian economy, in preparation for final status agreement.
• Parties reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement that ends the Israel-Palestinian conflict in 2005, through a settlement negotiated between the parties based on UNSCR 242, 338, and 1397, that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and includes an agreed, just, fair, and realistic solution to the refugee issue, and a negotiated resolution on the status of Jerusalem that takes into account the political and religious concerns of both sides, and protects the religious interests of Jews, Christians, and Muslims worldwide, and fulfills the vision of two states, Israel and sovereign, independent, democratic and viable Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
• Arab state acceptance of full normal relations with Israel and security for all the states of the region in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.
Released on April 30, 2003
and You decide if this is the "Roadmap to Peace"
Source: State Department web page.
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 30, 2003
A Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The following is a performance-based and goal-driven roadmap, with clear phases, timelines, target dates, and benchmarks aiming at progress through reciprocal steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, humanitarian, and institution-building fields, under the auspices of the Quartet [the United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia]. The destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005, as presented in President Bush’s speech of 24 June, and welcomed by the EU, Russia and the UN in the 16 July and 17 September Quartet Ministerial statements.
A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty, and through Israel’s readiness to do what is necessary for a democratic Palestinian state to be established, and a clear, unambiguous acceptance by both parties of the goal of a negotiated settlement as described below. The Quartet will assist and facilitate implementation of the plan, starting in Phase I, including direct discussions between the parties as required. The plan establishes a realistic timeline for implementation. However, as a performance-based plan, progress will require and depend upon the good faith efforts of the parties, and their compliance with each of the obligations outlined below. Should the parties perform their obligations rapidly, progress within and through the phases may come sooner than indicated in the plan. Non-compliance with obligations will impede progress.
A settlement, negotiated between the parties, will result in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors. The settlement will resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and end the occupation that began in 1967, based on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principle of land for peace, UNSCRs 242, 338 and 1397, agreements previously reached by the parties, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah – endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit – calling for acceptance of Israel as a neighbor living in peace and security, in the context of a comprehensive settlement. This initiative is a vital element of international efforts to promote a comprehensive peace on all tracks, including the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks.
The Quartet will meet regularly at senior levels to evaluate the parties' performance on implementation of the plan. In each phase, the parties are expected to perform their obligations in parallel, unless otherwise indicated.
Phase I: Ending Terror And Violence, Normalizing Palestinian Life, and Building Palestinian Institutions -- Present to May 2003
In Phase I, the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence according to the steps outlined below; such action should be accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel. Palestinians and Israelis resume security cooperation based on the Tenet work plan to end violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective Palestinian security services. Palestinians undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood, including drafting a Palestinian constitution, and free, fair and open elections upon the basis of those measures. Israel takes all necessary steps to help normalize Palestinian life. Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed at that time, as security performance and cooperation progress. Israel also freezes all settlement activity, consistent with the Mitchell report.
At the outset of Phase I:
• Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere. All official Palestinian institutions end incitement against Israel.
• Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel, as expressed by President Bush, and calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians everywhere. All official Israeli institutions end incitement against Palestinians.
Security
• Palestinians declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere.
• Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.
• GOI takes no actions undermining trust, including deportations, attacks on civilians; confiscation and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property, as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction; destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure; and other measures specified in the Tenet work plan.
• Relying on existing mechanisms and on-the-ground resources, Quartet representatives begin informal monitoring and consult with the parties on establishment of a formal monitoring mechanism and its implementation.
• Implementation, as previously agreed, of U.S. rebuilding, training and resumed security cooperation plan in collaboration with outside oversight board (U.S.–Egypt–Jordan). Quartet support for efforts to achieve a lasting, comprehensive cease-fire.
o All Palestinian security organizations are consolidated into three services reporting to an empowered Interior Minister.
o Restructured/retrained Palestinian security forces and IDF counterparts progressively resume security cooperation and other undertakings in implementation of the Tenet work plan, including regular senior-level meetings, with the participation of U.S. security officials.
• Arab states cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror.
• All donors providing budgetary support for the Palestinians channel these funds through the Palestinian Ministry of Finance's Single Treasury Account.
• As comprehensive security performance moves forward, IDF withdraws progressively from areas occupied since September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore the status quo that existed prior to September 28, 2000. Palestinian security forces redeploy to areas vacated by IDF.
Palestinian Institution-Building
• Immediate action on credible process to produce draft constitution for Palestinian statehood. As rapidly as possible, constitutional committee circulates draft Palestinian constitution, based on strong parliamentary democracy and cabinet with empowered prime minister, for public comment/debate. Constitutional committee proposes draft document for submission after elections for approval by appropriate Palestinian institutions.
• Appointment of interim prime minister or cabinet with empowered executive authority/decision-making body.
• GOI fully facilitates travel of Palestinian officials for PLC and Cabinet sessions, internationally supervised security retraining, electoral and other reform activity, and other supportive measures related to the reform efforts.
• Continued appointment of Palestinian ministers empowered to undertake fundamental reform. Completion of further steps to achieve genuine separation of powers, including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose.
• Establishment of independent Palestinian election commission. PLC reviews and revises election law.
• Palestinian performance on judicial, administrative, and economic benchmarks, as established by the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform.
• As early as possible, and based upon the above measures and in the context of open debate and transparent candidate selection/electoral campaign based on a free, multi-party process, Palestinians hold free, open, and fair elections.
• GOI facilitates Task Force election assistance, registration of voters, movement of candidates and voting officials. Support for NGOs involved in the election process.
• GOI reopens Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem based on a commitment that these institutions operate strictly in accordance with prior agreements between the parties.
Humanitarian Response
• Israel takes measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Israel and Palestinians implement in full all recommendations of the Bertini report to improve humanitarian conditions, lifting curfews and easing restrictions on movement of persons and goods, and allowing full, safe, and unfettered access of international and humanitarian personnel.
• AHLC reviews the humanitarian situation and prospects for economic development in the West Bank and Gaza and launches a major donor assistance effort, including to the reform effort.
• GOI and PA continue revenue clearance process and transfer of funds, including arrears, in accordance with agreed, transparent monitoring mechanism.
Civil Society
• Continued donor support, including increased funding through PVOs/NGOs, for people to people programs, private sector development and civil society initiatives.
Settlements
• GOI immediately dismantles settlement outposts erected since March 2001.
• Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).
Phase II: Transition -- June 2003-December 2003
In the second phase, efforts are focused on the option of creating an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and attributes of sovereignty, based on the new constitution, as a way station to a permanent status settlement. As has been noted, this goal can be achieved when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror, willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty. With such a leadership, reformed civil institutions and security structures, the Palestinians will have the active support of the Quartet and the broader international community in establishing an independent, viable, state.
Progress into Phase II will be based upon the consensus judgment of the Quartet of whether conditions are appropriate to proceed, taking into account performance of both parties. Furthering and sustaining efforts to normalize Palestinian lives and build Palestinian institutions, Phase II starts after Palestinian elections and ends with possible creation of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders in 2003. Its primary goals are continued comprehensive security performance and effective security cooperation, continued normalization of Palestinian life and institution-building, further building on and sustaining of the goals outlined in Phase I, ratification of a democratic Palestinian constitution, formal establishment of office of prime minister, consolidation of political reform, and the creation of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
• International Conference: Convened by the Quartet, in consultation with the parties, immediately after the successful conclusion of Palestinian elections, to support Palestinian economic recovery and launch a process, leading to establishment of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders.
o Such a meeting would be inclusive, based on the goal of a comprehensive Middle East peace (including between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon), and based on the principles described in the preamble to this document.
o Arab states restore pre-intifada links to Israel (trade offices, etc.).
o Revival of multilateral engagement on issues including regional water resources, environment, economic development, refugees, and arms control issues.
• New constitution for democratic, independent Palestinian state is finalized and approved by appropriate Palestinian institutions. Further elections, if required, should follow approval of the new constitution.
• Empowered reform cabinet with office of prime minister formally established, consistent with draft constitution.
• Continued comprehensive security performance, including effective security cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I.
• Creation of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders through a process of Israeli-Palestinian engagement, launched by the international conference. As part of this process, implementation of prior agreements, to enhance maximum territorial contiguity, including further action on settlements in conjunction with establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
• Enhanced international role in monitoring transition, with the active, sustained, and operational support of the Quartet.
• Quartet members promote international recognition of Palestinian state, including possible UN membership.
Phase III: Permanent Status Agreement and End of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict -- 2004 – 2005
Progress into Phase III, based on consensus judgment of Quartet, and taking into account actions of both parties and Quartet monitoring. Phase III objectives are consolidation of reform and stabilization of Palestinian institutions, sustained, effective Palestinian security performance, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at a permanent status agreement in 2005.
• Second International Conference: Convened by Quartet, in consultation with the parties, at beginning of 2004 to endorse agreement reached on an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and formally to launch a process with the active, sustained, and operational support of the Quartet, leading to a final, permanent status resolution in 2005, including on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements; and, to support progress toward a comprehensive Middle East settlement between Israel and Lebanon and Israel and Syria, to be achieved as soon as possible.
• Continued comprehensive, effective progress on the reform agenda laid out by the Task Force in preparation for final status agreement.
• Continued sustained and effective security performance, and sustained, effective security cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I.
• International efforts to facilitate reform and stabilize Palestinian institutions and the Palestinian economy, in preparation for final status agreement.
• Parties reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement that ends the Israel-Palestinian conflict in 2005, through a settlement negotiated between the parties based on UNSCR 242, 338, and 1397, that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and includes an agreed, just, fair, and realistic solution to the refugee issue, and a negotiated resolution on the status of Jerusalem that takes into account the political and religious concerns of both sides, and protects the religious interests of Jews, Christians, and Muslims worldwide, and fulfills the vision of two states, Israel and sovereign, independent, democratic and viable Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
• Arab state acceptance of full normal relations with Israel and security for all the states of the region in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.
Released on April 30, 2003
10 June 2007
ISRAEL AND THE WEST SHARE THE SAME DESTINY
The Shared Destiny of Israel and the West
Tuesday, June 5 marked the 40th anniversary of the beginning of one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the modern state of Israel the Six Day War.
In May, 1967, Egypt’s President Gamal Nasser sent troops into the Sinai, and kicked out the U.N. troops that had been stationed there since the end of the 1956 Sinai war. Nasser also violated international law by blockading the Straits of Tiran, cutting off a critical supply route to the southern Israel port city of Eilat. This was accompanied by a huge buildup of armies on Israel’s borders, not just by Egypt, but by other states including Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
These provocative, aggressive acts were accompanied by equally provocative, aggressive rhetoric. From Cairo, Egyptian state radio thundered, “This is our chance Arabs, to deal Israel a mortal blow of annihilation, to blot out its entire presence in our holy land.” Egyptian President Nasser stated flatly, “Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight.” President Aref of Iraq joined in, saying, “The existence of Israel is an error which must be rectified.” The Syrian Defense Minister rallied his Arab allies by saying that “the time has come to enter into a battle of annihilation” with Israel. The chairman of the then three-year-old Palestinian Liberation Organization told his followers, “We shall destroy Israel and its inhabitants and as for the survivors if there are any the boats are ready to deport them.” (It should be noted that these calls for Israel’s destruction came before Israel took possession of Gaza and the West Bank meaning that calls for Israel to end its “occupation” of those areas in exchange for peace are little more than excuses to force concessions from Israel).
Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of hostile troops, with the threats of destruction repeated daily by the leaders of neighboring nations, Israel was faced with a stark choice. The intentions of her enemies were clear. She could sit and wait for her enemies to attack a move that would almost certainly amount to suicide. Or, she could send her armies in self-defense against the hostile forces surrounding her. She chose the latter course.
In the early morning of June 5, 1967, the entire Israeli air force scrambled to attack Egyptian airfields while Egyptian pilots were still eating breakfast. It was a brilliant move within hours, nearly 300 Egyptian planes were destroyed. Hoping to limit the conflict, Israel pleaded with Jordan and Syria not to get involved, but these requests were ignored. Jordan attacked West Jerusalem. Syria began shelling northern Israel. So Israel launched attacks against Jordanian and Syrian air power, crippling them just as it had the Egyptian forces. With Arab air forces inactive, Israel concentrated on fighting on the ground, winning numerous victories in fierce fighting. Six days later, Israel accepted an offer of cease-fire from her enemies.
The war was a stunning victory overall for Israel. Israeli forces gained control of Gaza and Sinai from Egypt, Judea and Samaria (comprising the West Bank territories) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. The Holy City of Jerusalem, divided since the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948, was at last united under Israeli rule. Yet, even after sustaining these losses, the vanquished Arab nations refused to sit down and negotiate a lasting peace or establish mutually acceptable boundaries with Israel. They would not even accept Israel’s right to exist in their midst.
Very little has changed in the last 40 years. The rhetoric that flows from Israel’s Arab and Muslim neighbors is as hateful and threatening as ever. Just this week, Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has made so many vicious threats against the Jewish State, said, “the countdown button for the destruction of the Zionist regime has been pushed … By God's will, we will witness the destruction of this regime in the near future.” Hamas, the terrorist group that rules the Palestinian Authority, recently declared that “Recognition of Israel is out of the question.” Every day, in print and electronic media, venomous anti-Israel, anti-Jewish attacks are distributed to millions in the Arab world.
This can only lead to one conclusion: Israel’s Arab neighbors are no more willing to compromise or reconcile with Israel than they were in 1967. We see evidence for this nearly every day not just in words, but in action in the incessant firing of rockets at the central Israel city of Sderot, the continued buildup of Syrian military forces at Israel’s northern border, and by the rearming of Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon that has continued unabated since the end of last summer’s Israel-Hezbollah war.
In 1968, one year after the Six Day war ended, author Eric Hoffer wrote a memorable article about Israel’s plight and how Israel’s plight was tied in with the destiny of the West as a whole. “I have a premonition that will not leave me,” he concluded. “As it goes with Israel, so will it go with all of us.”
Today, more than ever, we see that he was right. Radical Islam has declared war not just on Israel, but on the West. The evidence is there in the carnage caused in New York by the attacks of 9/11, the Madrid train bombings, the London subway attacks, and in countless other acts of terror directed against the West and Western interests worldwide. With the rise of this hateful ideology, the battle lines have been drawn, and those of us who love freedom must stand for Israel. Israel’s survival and the survival of all freedom-loving societies depends upon it.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein - Jun 07, 2007
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
Dear Friend of The Fellowship,
Tuesday, June 5 marked the 40th anniversary of the beginning of one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the modern state of Israel the Six Day War.
In May, 1967, Egypt’s President Gamal Nasser sent troops into the Sinai, and kicked out the U.N. troops that had been stationed there since the end of the 1956 Sinai war. Nasser also violated international law by blockading the Straits of Tiran, cutting off a critical supply route to the southern Israel port city of Eilat. This was accompanied by a huge buildup of armies on Israel’s borders, not just by Egypt, but by other states including Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
These provocative, aggressive acts were accompanied by equally provocative, aggressive rhetoric. From Cairo, Egyptian state radio thundered, “This is our chance Arabs, to deal Israel a mortal blow of annihilation, to blot out its entire presence in our holy land.” Egyptian President Nasser stated flatly, “Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight.” President Aref of Iraq joined in, saying, “The existence of Israel is an error which must be rectified.” The Syrian Defense Minister rallied his Arab allies by saying that “the time has come to enter into a battle of annihilation” with Israel. The chairman of the then three-year-old Palestinian Liberation Organization told his followers, “We shall destroy Israel and its inhabitants and as for the survivors if there are any the boats are ready to deport them.” (It should be noted that these calls for Israel’s destruction came before Israel took possession of Gaza and the West Bank meaning that calls for Israel to end its “occupation” of those areas in exchange for peace are little more than excuses to force concessions from Israel).
Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of hostile troops, with the threats of destruction repeated daily by the leaders of neighboring nations, Israel was faced with a stark choice. The intentions of her enemies were clear. She could sit and wait for her enemies to attack a move that would almost certainly amount to suicide. Or, she could send her armies in self-defense against the hostile forces surrounding her. She chose the latter course.
In the early morning of June 5, 1967, the entire Israeli air force scrambled to attack Egyptian airfields while Egyptian pilots were still eating breakfast. It was a brilliant move within hours, nearly 300 Egyptian planes were destroyed. Hoping to limit the conflict, Israel pleaded with Jordan and Syria not to get involved, but these requests were ignored. Jordan attacked West Jerusalem. Syria began shelling northern Israel. So Israel launched attacks against Jordanian and Syrian air power, crippling them just as it had the Egyptian forces. With Arab air forces inactive, Israel concentrated on fighting on the ground, winning numerous victories in fierce fighting. Six days later, Israel accepted an offer of cease-fire from her enemies.
The war was a stunning victory overall for Israel. Israeli forces gained control of Gaza and Sinai from Egypt, Judea and Samaria (comprising the West Bank territories) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. The Holy City of Jerusalem, divided since the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948, was at last united under Israeli rule. Yet, even after sustaining these losses, the vanquished Arab nations refused to sit down and negotiate a lasting peace or establish mutually acceptable boundaries with Israel. They would not even accept Israel’s right to exist in their midst.
Very little has changed in the last 40 years. The rhetoric that flows from Israel’s Arab and Muslim neighbors is as hateful and threatening as ever. Just this week, Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has made so many vicious threats against the Jewish State, said, “the countdown button for the destruction of the Zionist regime has been pushed … By God's will, we will witness the destruction of this regime in the near future.” Hamas, the terrorist group that rules the Palestinian Authority, recently declared that “Recognition of Israel is out of the question.” Every day, in print and electronic media, venomous anti-Israel, anti-Jewish attacks are distributed to millions in the Arab world.
This can only lead to one conclusion: Israel’s Arab neighbors are no more willing to compromise or reconcile with Israel than they were in 1967. We see evidence for this nearly every day not just in words, but in action in the incessant firing of rockets at the central Israel city of Sderot, the continued buildup of Syrian military forces at Israel’s northern border, and by the rearming of Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon that has continued unabated since the end of last summer’s Israel-Hezbollah war.
In 1968, one year after the Six Day war ended, author Eric Hoffer wrote a memorable article about Israel’s plight and how Israel’s plight was tied in with the destiny of the West as a whole. “I have a premonition that will not leave me,” he concluded. “As it goes with Israel, so will it go with all of us.”
Today, more than ever, we see that he was right. Radical Islam has declared war not just on Israel, but on the West. The evidence is there in the carnage caused in New York by the attacks of 9/11, the Madrid train bombings, the London subway attacks, and in countless other acts of terror directed against the West and Western interests worldwide. With the rise of this hateful ideology, the battle lines have been drawn, and those of us who love freedom must stand for Israel. Israel’s survival and the survival of all freedom-loving societies depends upon it.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President
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