Bush and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

It is disturbing - although not surprising - to see President Bush backing so overtly Israel when he should de calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts. Once again, the US president stands out among Western leaders – Germany, Spain, Norway, France, Russia and China have all criticized Israel too, but as Josh Marshall recognizes not only does American politics lean heavily in Israel's direction; so does the American media. That is bad for long term relations with Arabs and it will playa role in recruiting terrorists in the next future.

Yes, as Bush says, Israel certainly has the right to defend herself and Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that must be dealt with firmly but to repeat this as old mantra is not going to get anything done. Taking side so conspicuously while the conflict is dangerously escalating is extremely irresponsible, no matter how Bush personally feels about it. This is not what a responsible leader of the world’s most powerful nation should do.

If Israel certainly has the right to defend herself, the use of force must be proportionate to the injure inflicted, and I think the European Union is right in accusing Israel of "disproportionate use of force." which goes "far beyond the legitimate right of any country to defend itself."

The greatest risk is obviously escalation with looming conflicts with Syria or even Iran. In fact, according to Edward P. Djerejian - former U.S. ambassador to both Israel and Syria and director of the James Baker Institute (NPR),

“there is speculation in the Israeli commentary that perhaps the next step can be targeting Syria as Syria supports Hezbollah & Hamas”. Djerejian warns that “one mustn’t be too complacent that this military situation can escalate into a wider conflict. It can be contained but the international community has to play an important role".

It would be wise indeed for the US to engage in direct or indirect talks with the major players (Iran and Syria) before it gets any worse. It is a question of political will but it seems that this administration does not have it. Clearly, the involvement in Iraq has been a distraction from the main issue but steps towards resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would certainly help on other issues, including Iraq.

This administration’s short-sightedness continues to amaze me and Bush’s ideological blindness is beyond comprehension. It seems that a sense of reality has not kicked out the old ideological framework but the notion held many neo-cons that open conflict s in the Middle-East may be a chance to “reshape the Middle-East” is just too simplistic and dangerous.

If Hezbollah is not, for the most part, gaining support among countries in the region, Israel nonetheless runs the big risk of unifying people against her if more civilians get killed.