Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom met with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer yesterday. Shalom thanked Kurtzer for the US support, but warned him that if the Palestinian Authority terrorist attacks continue, the Road Map will become all but irrelevant.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, however, said yesterday that there is yet a possibility to move forward with diplomatic moves, despite the 25 Israelis murdered since the Aqaba Summit. At the same time, Mofaz reiterated, it is Israel's "right and duty to safeguard its citizens, because the new Palestinian Authority leadership is not ready to assume security responsibility."
Agreeing with the Defense Minister's position, United States Representative Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, said that Bush's rebuke for Israel's attempted strike on Hamas leader Rantisi might cause his critics "to think of the word 'hypocrisy.'" He continued: "How can we take certain actions in response to terrorism, and then tell others that when they do the same exact thing that it is not helpful?" Reps. Robert Wexler of Florida and Tom Lantos of California also expressed support for Israel's position.
Another unexpected word of sympathy for Israeli victims of terrorism came from British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. Straw told a BBC interviewer that there must be increased international efforts to cut off funds to PA terrorist groups. He urged the EU to consider sanctions against those who fund terrorism and called upon the Arab nations to cease such funding. Although he did not mention names, the US and Britain are said to have been putting pressure on Iran and Syria lately to stop funding Arab terrorism.
US Administration officials remained hopeful that, despite all, the Road Map could proceed as planned. US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said the plan remains absolutely relevant, despite the latest violence. Speaking in Los Angeles, Rice said the Road Map is the only viable way to achieve peace and that President George W. Bush keeps his promises and expects others to keep theirs. She said that Israeli leaders must understand that the PA leadership is trying to reform the security services. The administration, she said, has encouraged the PA leaders to
speak out strongly against terrorism.
In Europe, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says he hopes the Road Map can be implemented rapidly to break the "cycle of violence between Israel and the Palestinians." However, after talks in Brussels with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, Solana admitted it is difficult to maintain hope that the Road Map will be applied in its totality.
Meanwhile, the flurry of diplomatic activity around the Road Map continues, with US Secretary of State Colin Powell to meet in Amman, Jordan with other senior Quartet representatives on June 22. The delegation will include UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, and senior European Union officials. US Middle East envoy John Wolff will arrive in the Middle East tomorrow.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz, however, said yesterday that there is yet a possibility to move forward with diplomatic moves, despite the 25 Israelis murdered since the Aqaba Summit. At the same time, Mofaz reiterated, it is Israel's "right and duty to safeguard its citizens, because the new Palestinian Authority leadership is not ready to assume security responsibility."
Agreeing with the Defense Minister's position, United States Representative Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, said that Bush's rebuke for Israel's attempted strike on Hamas leader Rantisi might cause his critics "to think of the word 'hypocrisy.'" He continued: "How can we take certain actions in response to terrorism, and then tell others that when they do the same exact thing that it is not helpful?" Reps. Robert Wexler of Florida and Tom Lantos of California also expressed support for Israel's position.
Another unexpected word of sympathy for Israeli victims of terrorism came from British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. Straw told a BBC interviewer that there must be increased international efforts to cut off funds to PA terrorist groups. He urged the EU to consider sanctions against those who fund terrorism and called upon the Arab nations to cease such funding. Although he did not mention names, the US and Britain are said to have been putting pressure on Iran and Syria lately to stop funding Arab terrorism.
US Administration officials remained hopeful that, despite all, the Road Map could proceed as planned. US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said the plan remains absolutely relevant, despite the latest violence. Speaking in Los Angeles, Rice said the Road Map is the only viable way to achieve peace and that President George W. Bush keeps his promises and expects others to keep theirs. She said that Israeli leaders must understand that the PA leadership is trying to reform the security services. The administration, she said, has encouraged the PA leaders to
speak out strongly against terrorism.
In Europe, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says he hopes the Road Map can be implemented rapidly to break the "cycle of violence between Israel and the Palestinians." However, after talks in Brussels with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, Solana admitted it is difficult to maintain hope that the Road Map will be applied in its totality.
Meanwhile, the flurry of diplomatic activity around the Road Map continues, with US Secretary of State Colin Powell to meet in Amman, Jordan with other senior Quartet representatives on June 22. The delegation will include UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, and senior European Union officials. US Middle East envoy John Wolff will arrive in the Middle East tomorrow.