March 29, 2002

Yehuda Lancry, U.N. ambassador from

Yehuda Lancry, U.N. ambassador from Israel echoes my feelings about Yassar Arafat:

The glorification of suicide bombings against innocent civilians, precisely because they are innocent, and the continuing failure to arrest known terrorists who enjoy protection and support in the Palestinian territories and in the presidential compound of Chairman Arafat are but some of the signs that Chairman Arafat has no intention of reaching a peaceful settlement.

Yet, the U.S. continues to consider Arafat a man who can be dealt with. Deputy U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham called Arafat "central to any meaningful effort to restore calm." I say he's an impediment to peace. He had a chance at Camp David, but turned it down. Now, he does little to stop suicide bombers while his propaganda machine spews anti-Israeli hatred.

What I also noticed after Israel's attack on Arafat's headquarters was the quick response by world leaders, yet after the bombing that killed 22, only President Bush made a strong statement condeming it. Kofi Annan does his typical moral equivalence by saying, "Destroying the Palestinian Authority will not bring Israel closer to peace," and "Terrorism will not bring the Palestinian people closer to an independent Palestinian state." To Annan, it seems a legitimate response to terrorism is the same as terrorism itself.

"Annan Wants Israel to Halt Attacks"