The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has condemned the statement by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell suggesting that Israel's actions cause Arab children to grow up to be terrorists - especially in light of a statement by President Bush implying the opposite.
Speaking on the ABC News program "This Week" on September 7, Secretary Powell, who supports American assassinations of Bin Laden terror leaders and aides to Saddam Hussein, condemned Israel's attempt to kill Hamas terrorist leaders who have murdered hundreds of Israelis and Americans. Powell implied that Israel's wounding of children in such attacks will lead to them becoming Hamas terrorists themselves. However, Bush said on the same day, "We have learned that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength. They are invited by the perception of weakness. And the surest way to avoid attacks on our own people is to engage the enemy where he lives and plans."
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein summed up: "President Bush says terrorism is not caused by the use of American strength; Secretary Powell says terrorism is caused by the use of Israeli strength. President Bush says America must fight the terrorists 'where they live'; Secretary Powell says that Israel must not fight terrorists where they live. These contradictions indicate that the Bush administration has a disturbing double standard when it comes to Israel's fight against terror... Arab children grow up to be terrorists because the Palestinian Authority's school system teaches them hatred of Jews and glorification of violence."
Speaking on the ABC News program "This Week" on September 7, Secretary Powell, who supports American assassinations of Bin Laden terror leaders and aides to Saddam Hussein, condemned Israel's attempt to kill Hamas terrorist leaders who have murdered hundreds of Israelis and Americans. Powell implied that Israel's wounding of children in such attacks will lead to them becoming Hamas terrorists themselves. However, Bush said on the same day, "We have learned that terrorist attacks are not caused by the use of strength. They are invited by the perception of weakness. And the surest way to avoid attacks on our own people is to engage the enemy where he lives and plans."
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein summed up: "President Bush says terrorism is not caused by the use of American strength; Secretary Powell says terrorism is caused by the use of Israeli strength. President Bush says America must fight the terrorists 'where they live'; Secretary Powell says that Israel must not fight terrorists where they live. These contradictions indicate that the Bush administration has a disturbing double standard when it comes to Israel's fight against terror... Arab children grow up to be terrorists because the Palestinian Authority's school system teaches them hatred of Jews and glorification of violence."