American public-action groups such as VIPAC are expressing their objections to U.S. President Bush\'s apparent turn-around regarding Israel\'s right to defend itself. Bush strongly criticized Arafat yesterday, but at the same time called on Israel to withdraw from the autonomous cities and make no further incursions in its war against terrorism. VIPAC, noting the \"administration\'s policy of surrendering to Arafat\'s Islamic terrorism,\" says that \"while you [President Bush] claim to support the idea that Israel has the right to defend herself, you deny Israel the ability to exercise that right.\"
Congressman Eliot Engel (D-New York), a member of the House International Relations Committee, also criticized the Bush zig-zag:
\"We are rightfully going halfway around the world to Afghanistan to destroy the terrorist cells and everyone applauds us for it. Israel is rightfully going into the Palestinian areas to destroy the terrorist cells and the world is condemning them for it. I really do not agree with Bush\'s calling on Israel to withdraw their military operations. We\'re either going to be consistent or we\'re not.\"
Similarly, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) said this week,
\"No one should expect the people of Israel to negotiate with groups pursuing fundamental goals of destroying them. During four decades of terrorism, Yasser Arafat has proven his total contempt for human life... So we should support Israel as they dismantle the Palestinian leadership that foments violence and fosters hate... If suicide bombers succeed in intimidating Israel, every free society would eventually face the same evil tactic.\"
Congressman Eliot Engel (D-New York), a member of the House International Relations Committee, also criticized the Bush zig-zag:
\"We are rightfully going halfway around the world to Afghanistan to destroy the terrorist cells and everyone applauds us for it. Israel is rightfully going into the Palestinian areas to destroy the terrorist cells and the world is condemning them for it. I really do not agree with Bush\'s calling on Israel to withdraw their military operations. We\'re either going to be consistent or we\'re not.\"
Similarly, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) said this week,
\"No one should expect the people of Israel to negotiate with groups pursuing fundamental goals of destroying them. During four decades of terrorism, Yasser Arafat has proven his total contempt for human life... So we should support Israel as they dismantle the Palestinian leadership that foments violence and fosters hate... If suicide bombers succeed in intimidating Israel, every free society would eventually face the same evil tactic.\"