Israel Defiant Over Barrier After Bush Criticism

[Socialist Christian]

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=800491&tw=wn_wire_story

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel responded defiantly on Thursday to sharp criticism by President Bush of a barrier it is building through Palestinian areas in the West Bank .

Israeli Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said the barrier would remain an option even if a Middle East peace process resumed.

"Israel will always have the right to take unilateral steps for separation from the Palestinians through a fence or other means," Olmert told Israel Radio.

In a speech in London on Wednesday, Bush toughened his stance over the barrier, saying Israel must not prejudice final peace negotiations "with the placement of walls and fences."

[drewb]

1. btt

[mbperrin]

2. Can ANYONE find a single

headline that says Israel COMPLIANT with anything?

I'm just weary of seeing the words defy or deny always linked up with them.

[burythehatchet]

3. Alas, many of us are weary

What's funny is the feined indignation by the US.

[Socialist Christian]

4. It is a bunch of affectation <nt>

[Malva Zebrina]

6. not even funny

but it is certain that it is feigned--this mantra has been trotted out so much--Bush wagging a finger at Israel but laughing behind the scenes, that even the dullest of observers has to take note of it.

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. Shocking really

A sovereign nation doing what it needs to do to protect its citizens, no matter what the U.S. tells it to do.

[Scurrilous]

7. A truly sovereign nation...

..would not have to come hat in hand to the US taxpayer every year and ask for money. If Israel is going to ask the United States to help fund her policies, is it too much to ask that she try and heed just a wee bit of our well meaning criticism?

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. Allies

Allies are funny things. They are like friends. Sometimes they need your help. Sometimes you need theirs. That doesn't give you a right to control all of their actions.

In the final analysis, the only sure ally the U.S. has in the Mideast is Israel. You might not like everything they do, but if you abandon them, you screw not only their people, but our own interests as well.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[The Stranger]

9. "Shocking really"

What is becoming an undeniable Apartheid State, thriving in the 21st Century and flouting the U.S. which has always supported it.

[Muddleoftheroad]

14. Undeniable?

LOL. Nice and silly way to TRY and shut off debate.

Israel is not apartheid, unlike its Arab neighbors who discriminate against religions and genders and sexual preference with a vigor.

In Israel, all citizens -- Arabs, Christians and Jews -- can vote. That's not apartheid.

[BlackFrancis]

15. if the green line is Israel..

Why isn't the wall being built there?

Does this mean that Palestinians on the wrong side of the wall will be given Israeli citizenship?

[Muddleoftheroad]

18. The border is not set

Once the Palestinians agree to peace, a border will be negotiated as part of that process.

[BlackFrancis]

22. oh, that's convienent

:eyes:

So until the Palestinians cry "peace" (which happened over and over, the only resistance they put up when the Israeli's invaded in '67 was waving white flags) whatever that means to Israel. They can have an apartheid state.

[Muddleoftheroad]

28. They don't have one now

Why will they have one later?

[BlackFrancis]

32. You keep repeating that

If this supposed temporary occupation that's been going on for decades and decades stretches into centuries at what point does it become quite apparent that they have an apartheid system?

[Muddleoftheroad]

33. The territories

As pro-Palestinian posters and the Palestinians themselves are quick to point out will eventually become in large part a Palestinian state. All we are now is in the waiting game till the Palestinians do what is required to earn statehood -- namely, crack down on the terrorists.

[BlackFrancis]

34. I don't suggest you hold your breath

This has nothing to do with what Palestinians do or don't do. This was proved beyond a doubt during Oslo where years went by in complete peace and settlement only escalated.

You will go to your grave hearing about "the crisis in the middle east", I guarantee it.

[The Stranger]

16. Wrong. All Arabs, including Christians, cannot vote, among other things

in Israel BECAUSE of their nationality or race.

THAT is Apartheid.

[BlackFrancis]

17. that's not so..

Israeli Arabs left behind from the '48 war do vote. There is institutional discrimination but there is a small percentage of Arabs that vote.

[Lurking Dem]

20. Where in the hell

do you get your information? Arab Israelis vote. Muslim Israelis vote. Christian Israelis vote. Jewish Israelis vote.

[The Stranger]

27. I'm not talking about some small percentage who are allowed to vote.

In the Jim Crow South, I'm sure there were some African Americans allowed to participate in the system.

But the Israeli Government disenfranchises the majority of the indigenous Arab population because they are Arabs.

This is really a very simple concept with a very long, disgusting history. Why are you having such a problem understanding it?

[Malva Zebrina]

19. well I should hope that all citizens can vote

but how about restrictions on who can become a citizen? Can Palestinians who marry an Israeli, become a citizen> Can Arabs living in East Jerusalem become citizens? If all is so wonderfully fine and dandy, why is not the rule of return law covering Jews who believe in Jesus?

[Socialist Christian]

23. Not anymore. they clamped down on the marriage citizenship. <nt>

[Socialist Christian]

24. Not anymore. they clamped down on the marriage citizenship. <nt>

[Muddleoftheroad]

29. All nations control citizenship

It is one of the many factors that nations control. This is nothing new.

[burythehatchet]

25. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt

don't ya just love that one?

[newyorican]

11. Photo of said *barrier*...

it's also been called a fence...

[Muddleoftheroad]

13. It's both

That is one photo of the barrier. In some areas it is a wall. In other areas, it is merely a fence.

[Malva Zebrina]

21. why is there a difference?

why this castle wall here and not elsewhere==or vice versa--

[Muddleoftheroad]

30. Depends on the area

Some areas are more urban and are higher security risks. I understand that they get the larger barriers as a result.

[burythehatchet]

26. Hasta la vista Muddle

(Ignore command executed) - Say hello to JemNote and DrDon

[Muddleoftheroad]

31. Cut to the quick

Some people clearly don't like facts.

[gratuitous]

12. As scripted as a pro wrestling match

Lil George: Wall bad. Me no like.

Israel: Up yours, Georgie boy.

Lil George: Okey dokey. Nothing personal.

Israel: We be defiant.

Lil George: Wall bad. Me no like. But will do nothing.

Israel: We need another billion in next year's appropriation.

Lil George: Is a billion enough? You sure?

<Repeat>

[ConcernedCanuk]

35. Yikes ! looks like sumthing GeeDubya'd like for Canada and Mexico ?

.