Why is Bush so concerned about Hamas? By Andrew L. Jaffee, 6/10/2003	Home   Search   Forum   Terms

Today Israel attempted to eliminate (kill) Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi by firing missiles at him from helicopter gunships. Too bad they failed. Rantisi was only injured. According to the BBC:

In a rare rebuke of Israel's actions, the White House said President Bush was "concerned the [missile] strike will undermine efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to bring an end to terrorist attacks."

Efforts? What efforts? While I've heard some great sounding talk from Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Abu Mazen, I haven't seen any actions. This is the same old story: democratic Israel is held to a different standard than terrorists.

Hamas and the rest of the Palestinian terrorists have already rejected Bush's roadmap. They've said so publicly and proved it through action by killing 4 Israeli soldiers yesterday.

While Israel is dismantling settler outposts in the West Bank, Abu Mazen says he won't take any military action against Palestinian terrrorists--he's going to negotiate with them for a "cease-fire." Negotiate with Hamas? With Islamic Jihad? But yesterday they said they rejected the roadmap. Just look at their history of violence against Israeli civilians.They have publicly rejected Israel's right to exist for years.

Bush should be advocating the destruction of Palestinian terrorists, not making wishy-washy statements about the half-hearted (non-existent) "efforts" of Abu Mazen. There will be no Palestinian/Israeli peace until Hamas, Islamic Jihad, et. al. are eradicated. Palestinians might as well get their civil war over with now. There is no other choice. I know there are decent Palestinians. They need to take action in the interest of peace. No more talk.