Bush to Visit Israel
I plan to make this my last post about the lack of peace in the middle east for awhile. I have other things to write about and I've probably exhausted this soap box. Suffice it to say, I have great concern over this area of the world (as many people do), but my concern is probably a bit more centered on the ripple effect the conflict has throughout the world, specifically in the realm of US relations with other nations.
Bush plans to visit Israel in January. I'm not sure what his objective is, so I can't comment on whether he has any chance of accomplishing it.
I can say this: without doubt, his presence will escalate the ongoing violence that has again flared up in the last couple of weeks. Although Israel is spending tremendous resources on security for Mr. Bush, expect demonstrations and outbreaks of violence elsewhere in the region. I expect Palestinians will fire up their Katyushas and storm the streets in protest. This will be partly to take advantage of the press attention that Bush's visit will get, but perhaps even more in response to Israel's further cut of Palestinian power yesterday. The power cuts will cause daily 8-hour blackouts to Gaza, which is against international law.
In response to the Palestinians' elevation of its ongoing intifadah, the Israelis will then perform raids and aerial attacks on the Palestinian regions, killing noncombatants in their wake.
And so the circle of violence will continue.
I'm guessing Bush's intent for this trip is to further the supposed peace process. In November he hosted the Annapolis Conference, which was the first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in 7 years. Coincidentally Bush took office 7 years ago. Perhaps he should have made the peace process more of a priority during his terms.
I think he would do well to reconsider his methods. His visit to the area will incite violence, slowing any peace process that may be in existence.
Meanwhile peace efforts in eastern Congo seem to go unnoticed.
_______________________
[EDIT]: About one hour after I posted this blog, this happened.
Bush plans to visit Israel in January. I'm not sure what his objective is, so I can't comment on whether he has any chance of accomplishing it.
I can say this: without doubt, his presence will escalate the ongoing violence that has again flared up in the last couple of weeks. Although Israel is spending tremendous resources on security for Mr. Bush, expect demonstrations and outbreaks of violence elsewhere in the region. I expect Palestinians will fire up their Katyushas and storm the streets in protest. This will be partly to take advantage of the press attention that Bush's visit will get, but perhaps even more in response to Israel's further cut of Palestinian power yesterday. The power cuts will cause daily 8-hour blackouts to Gaza, which is against international law.
In response to the Palestinians' elevation of its ongoing intifadah, the Israelis will then perform raids and aerial attacks on the Palestinian regions, killing noncombatants in their wake.
And so the circle of violence will continue.
I'm guessing Bush's intent for this trip is to further the supposed peace process. In November he hosted the Annapolis Conference, which was the first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in 7 years. Coincidentally Bush took office 7 years ago. Perhaps he should have made the peace process more of a priority during his terms.
I think he would do well to reconsider his methods. His visit to the area will incite violence, slowing any peace process that may be in existence.
Meanwhile peace efforts in eastern Congo seem to go unnoticed.
_______________________
[EDIT]: About one hour after I posted this blog, this happened.
posted by Eric Livingston at
1/06/2008
1 Comments:
and so it goes...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517332008&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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