Email This to a Friend
George Bush’s Explosive Welcome to Israel
Terrorists greeted George W. Bush's visit to Israel by shooting a rocket into an Ashkelon mall and injuring dozens. Could there be a better metaphor for the failed peace process?
The picture on the front pages of the Israeli newspapers on Thursday should have been of President Bush’s arrival in Jerusalem — after all, it’s not every day that the leader of the free world visits this small nation, to whom U.S. support is so critical. But no: the photograph that graced the cover of Yediot Aharonot, Israel’s highest circulation newspaper, was instead a close-up of a tiny shoe cradled in an adult hand. It was a small sandal belonging to a little girl, which must have originally been white, but was now soaked red with blood with a huge gash down the middle. Clearly it belonged to a child who was one of the 69 people injured, some severely, when a Katushya Grad missile fired from Gaza hit an Ashkelon shopping center. The headline above the picture: “How the Trip to the Mall Ended.”
The bloody sandal was the image that inevitably leapt to mind the same afternoon as President Bush stood and addressed the Knesset, declaring that “the people of Israel have the right to a decent, normal, and peaceful life, just like the citizens of every other nation.”
There was nothing “decent, normal, and peaceful” about that battered little shoe.
Despite the fact that the country was still reeling from the horrific attack, Bush’s hike up Masada in a polo shirt and baseball cap — followed by his stilted, but well-meaning greeting in Hebrew that preceded his speech to the Knesset — were nonetheless comforting to the ears of Israelis hungry for any kind of international support.
“Israel’s population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you. America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. And America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world’s leading sponsor of terror to possess the world’s deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Ears that were sensitized to the U.S. political scene could detect that while Bush didn’t mention Barack Obama’s name, at least one of the remarks in his speech sounded pointedly directed at the likely Democratic contender for his job.
“Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: ‘Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.’ We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.”
The entire Knesset sat respectfully during the entirety of Bush’s address.
Israel’s own Prime Minister Olmert wasn’t so lucky. During his formal response to Bush, several Knesset members from the right stood up and left the room after Olmert stated, “When we reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians, God willing, one which is based on your vision of a two-state solution, it will be brought before this house. … This future peace agreement, I assure you, will be approved by this house and by the Israeli public.”
If the current political buzz is to be believed, it is unlikely that Olmert would be prime minister of Israel on that day, should it come to pass.
With the painfully public unfolding of his latest embarrassing corruption scandal – the latest in a long string of accusations against him — the question political observers are asking isn’t whether he will be replaced soon, but which of his rivals would be most likely to succeed him: Ehud Barak, Tzipi Livni, or Benjamin Netanyahu.
So while the two events may seem impossible to reconcile, Israel is simultaneously celebrating its achievements over the past 60 years and at the same time experiencing a crisis of leadership and faith both in its political establishment and its much-vaunted military leaders.
Next to the picture of the bloody shoe on the cover of Yediot was an bluntly outspoken opinion piece by veteran military commentator Alex Fishman. He charged that Israel’s political and military leaders were neglecting their most basic responsibility: doing what it had to do to protect the lives of its citizens regardless of how it may look to Europe or the United States. That is, launch a major operation in Gaza. “The military leadership said it was a very bad time for a military operation between Passover and the Independence Day celebrations and would ruin the celebrations. Baloney. The truth is that they are terribly fearful of another military failure, scared of a lack of consensus, frightened of post-war investigation committees. They know what they need to do, but cave in easily to the excuses. They are covering their asses.”
One military failure had already taken place. In what seemed like an inexcusable move by the IDF, a decision had been made to shut down the “Color Red” early warning siren in Ashkelon earlier this week because of too many false alarms. That meant the victims of the shopping mall attack had been caught with no warning — if the siren had been operational, civilians could have taken cover before the Grad rocket hit and the number of casualties could have been significantly reduced.
If that wasn’t disquieting enough, in an interview published Thursday, the Israel intelligence chief estimated that within two years, the rockets will reach Beersheva, an even larger city than Ashkelon.
Perhaps the most unlucky victims of the shopping mall attack were a pair of 14-year-old visitors from Sderot — Meitar Ohana and Ron Avitan — who came to Ashkelon weekly to a radio station located in the mall to broadcast a radio show where they discuss their lives under fire. Just a minute before they were due to begin their broadcast, the missile hit the mall. They told the media, “We were getting ready to go on the air when we heard a huge boom. The entire building shook and there was smoke everywhere. We knew immediately that it was a rocket. We’re used to it.”
First Sderot gets “used to” rocket fire, then Beersheva — and what of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem?
The fact that any teenagers are “used to” rocket fire is an unacceptable situation for this country, as it would be for any other. Until a leader takes action to change it, the Israeli politicians and generals should feel as insecure in their jobs as the residents of southwest Israel do in their homes.
Allison Kaplan Sommer is PJM Tel Aviv editor.
 |
 |
 |
Podcasts |  PJM Home |
Pajamas Media appreciates your comments that abide by the following guidelines:
1. Avoid profanities or foul language unless it is contained in a necessary quote or is relevant to the comment.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks.
4. Threats are treated seriously and reported to law enforcement.
5. Spam and advertising are not permitted in the comments area.
The clause regarding "hate speech" has been deleted because readers criticized it as being too loosely defined. We agreed.
These guidelines are very general and cannot cover every possible situation. Please don't assume that Pajamas Media management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment. We reserve the right to filter or delete comments or to deny posting privileges entirely at our discretion. If you feel your comment was filtered inappropriately, please email us at story@pajamasmedia.com.
17 Comments
1. D G Myers:After an attack upon a Jewish institution there, Menahem Begin said, “If France cannot protect her Jews, the IDF will.” Who is protecting the Jews of Ashkelon and Sderot?
May 15, 2008 - 9:52 am 2. George Bush’s Explosive Welcome to Israel:[...] Darren Murph wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptTerrorists greeted George W. Bush’s visit to Israel by shooting a rocket into an Ashkelon mall and injuring dozens. Could there be a better metaphor depicting the failed “peace process”? [...]
May 15, 2008 - 10:04 am 3. George Bush » George Bush’s Explosive Welcome to Israel:[...] Allison Kaplan Sommer wrote an interesting post today on George Bushâ
May 15, 2008 - 10:06 am 4. R. W. Johnson:Is it appropriate that the President of the United States, the Leader of the Free World, speaking in his official capacity as President of the United States, make disparaging remarks aimed at a United States Senator who is a leading candidate for the Office of President of the united States? What sort of message does this send to the entire world. What is the intended message to Isreal? Is this a message intended to foster unity?
May 15, 2008 - 11:11 am 5. D G Myers:Why assume that the President’s comments were “aimed at a United States Senator” rather than some Israeli politicians, who believe the same thing? (Or some French politicians, or some German politicians, or some British politicians. . . .) President Bush was disparaging the “foolish delusion” of appeasement, which is not the exclusive possession of any U.S. Senator.
May 15, 2008 - 11:44 am 6. lugh lampfhota:It is appropriate for a US President to speak the truth. If the truth is disparaging to a US senator or political candidate then they should clearly explain what they hope to accomplish by appeasing homicidal maniacs who intentionally murder women and children. The President of the US should rightfully send a message to the world that we are not going to talk to killers. We are going to kill the killers and will stand by Israel as it does the same.
Apparently Johnson wants to “foster unity” with al qaeda, hamas, hezbollah, quds and their fellow travellers. I want to kill them and am prepared to be an ally with those who share that view. Johnson may go join his friends so as to assure proper targeting in this war for civilization.
May 15, 2008 - 11:54 am 7. St Michael Traveler:Think Outside of Israeli Lobby Box
We have had 60 years of experimenting about the Israeli- Palestinian struggle. The region would need help before we will be dragged into a World War III.
No one can reject the fact that creation of Israel on the land of Arabic nations has created tremendous political and economical problems for the United States. We may have to look outside of the box to diffuse the problems. One solution would be for Israel joining us as a member of the Unites States’ Common Wealth.
Would Israel consider joining us as a member of the Unites States’ Common Wealth?
What are costs and benefits for US?
We are already supporting Israel economically, politically and by sharing intelligence and military hardware. In addition, some Israeli Americans with both Israeli and American citizenships serve in the Israeli Armed Forces. Israel never would have to be fearful of any other nation; our great American Armed Forces will protect the common wealth as they would the homeland.
Would it be politically more advantages for the United States to manage the Jewish state as a member of our Common Wealth?
Would it be economically more advantages for Israeli people to be a member of our nation?
The Israeli Common Wealth will be free to exercise the religious freedom that our great nation would offer without being isolated among the hostile Arabs.
Should the Common Wealth include the Arabs who were forced to leave the land when Zionist invaded the land?
Should the area of the Common Wealth include all of the Palestinian Land?
Would really two nation model for Palestinian and Israeli work in the future?
Should we be looking at the region as a Federal States with one government elected by all of the people?
We have been forced into one box by the Israeli Lobby; we need to look outside of this box. What do you think?
May 15, 2008 - 12:30 pm 8. Brad:Obama is as thin-skinned as he is vain. Vain, because he automatically assumes the remarks were directed at him. Thin-skinned because he automatically assumes the remarks were directed at him and he gets all upset. What a wuss.
Traveller, your history is woefully simplistic.
May 15, 2008 - 1:13 pm 9. Eliyahu:St Mike, one thing that the USA could do would be to stop financing the PLO/PA and other Arab forces and states. Are you aware that for many years, the purchase of oil by ARAMCO from Saudi Arabia was supported by US Treasury tax breaks given to ARAMCO in order to surreptitiously help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia???
May 15, 2008 - 3:56 pm 10. Eliyahu:St Mike, one thing that the USA could do would be to stop financing the PLO/PA and other Arab forces and states. Are you aware that for many years, the purchase of oil by ARAMCO from Saudi Arabia was supported by US Treasury tax breaks given to ARAMCO in order to surreptitiously help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia??
May 15, 2008 - 4:05 pm 11. ic:creation of Israel on the land of Arabic nations …
Er, I think the Jews were there first. I seem to remember Jesus, a Jew was born in Bethlehem, Jewish land under Roman occupation. There were King David, King Solomon, before Jesus, all seemed to reside on Jewish lands. Oh, someone built a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Way before that, someone named Moses led a bunch of Jewish slaves escape from Egypt and landed in Palestine. Do you know why I am so certain those were Jewish lands? Because Arabs were in Arabia, Jews were in Palestine in those days. One can say that after centuries of exiles, the Jews finally came back to reclaim their lands from Arab invaders/ occupiers.
May 15, 2008 - 8:16 pm 12. Suzanne:ic – very well put, EXCEPT – when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the area was not called “Palestine” – that didn’t happen until 135CE when the Roman Emperor Hadrian gave the then-Roman province of Judaea (remember that Herod was King of Judaea, so called because before that it was called Yudah, as it was the territory of the Israelite Tribe of Yudah, from whence we get the word “Jew”) the name “Provinca Palestina” – not an Arabic name at all, but Latin…
May 16, 2008 - 4:37 am 13. Suzanne:“If that wasn’t disquieting enough, in an interview published Thursday, the Israel intelligence chief estimated that within two years, the rockets will reach Beersheva, an even larger city than Ashkelon.”
And if Olmert succeeds in giving away Judaea & Samaria, with Katyusha Grads and other such weapons in Qalquilya, what happens to Ben Gurion International Airport…? This could be withIN the two years mentioned above unless we stop this insane “piece process” NOW!
May 16, 2008 - 4:40 am 14. Israpundit » Blog Archive » George Bush’s Explosive Welcome to Israel:[...] Allison Kaplan Sommer, PajamasMedia, May 15, [...]
May 16, 2008 - 4:45 am 15. harry:St Michael Traveler,
Yes we support Israel but we also support Egypt to the tune of a billion or 2 a year. We also support a lot of other countries, many that don’t share our interests. At least we know Israel is a true friend and ally. Israel is also a high tech powerhouse. Many companies do research and development in Israel.
May 16, 2008 - 9:19 am 16. Javelin:You imply that only we supply Israel economically, politically and with intelligence why don’t you mention the intelligence and technology Israel shares with us?
Perhaps you need to review Middle East history.
“The Middle East For Dummies” book is a good start.
Palestine, actually the Gaza and West Bank, are now politically and geographically distinct areas. The Gaza being led by Hamas a terrorist organization that vows to destroy Israel and who have ties to Iran, and the West Bank who is led by Abbas who is more moderate and more likely to achieve some sort of peace accord.
Merging the two would only make Hamas stronger because they are more militant and will use all sorts of terror to secure their grip on the Palestinian people.
America though its military might insures the free flow of Middle East oil to the world. Therefore, we support all nations who need Middle East oil. Are we getting some sort of premium on this insurance policy? No all we get is derision because America also supports Israel. Sucn infantile mentality. I suggest America become oil self-sufficient. Then we could deal with these terror supporting nations as we see fit and not have to come begging as Bush is doing now in saudi Arabia. The Saudi’s cannot defend themselves. They may have some F-16’s but can they operate them in a combat situation? Do they have a standing army capable of deterring invading forces? I doubt it. Iran is not far away. Speaking of Iran are they already be de facto rulers of Lebanon and Gaza? Their puppets in Syria dance to the Mullah’s strings. Their proxy Nasrallah controls half of Lebanon. And they supply Hamas with arms. If Iran were to somehow take control of Iraq they would gain control of most of the Middle East then would work on the remaining GCC states one by one. A nuclear Iran would insure that fate. Yet many believe Israel is the “Problem”. Yeah they’re the problem (as well as America)of Iran’s goal of a creating a Caliphate with them as Caliph. Would you rather have a Democratic nation capable of compromise or some Islamic fundamentalist nation allowing only Sharia law deciding how you live?
As much as I support Israel and think little of her Arab rivals. Traveller has a point. The mere creation of the state of Israel is an affront to most Arabs and Muslims period. We live in the realm of politics and politics doesn’t equal morality or fairness. The rest of you can rant all you want, but you can’t alter those facts. Israel was created at the expense of an Arab state, the fact that Arab Palestine would just be another dismal, backwards dustbowl is irrelevant. Arabs have money, diplomats, weapons and power and they will use those tools to undermine Israel until they are utterly destroyed or some politcial compromise is implemented.
May 20, 2008 - 1:32 pm 17. R. W. Johnson:I am reluctant to disclose this secret, lugh lampfhota, but ’speaking the truth’ is not among the listed qualifications for someone to run for and occupy the Oval Office. Indeed there are some so removed from the truth (and forthrightness) that said occupant has been listed as amoung the worst Presidents in our history. Wats have been started for Personal Political reason. As you suggest, this is not aimed at any particular President. Or george bush, junior.
May 27, 2008 - 2:19 pm