by Mark Silva
President Bush, who has been "monitoring the situation in the Middle East,'' lays the blame for the newest violence in the Gaza Strip on Hamas and insists that no cease-fire is possible until Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel.
"Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable,'' Bush will say in a radio address that he delivers tomorrow.
"And promises from Hamas will not suffice -- there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end,'' the president will say. "I urge all parties to pressure Hamas to turn away from terror, and to support legitimate Palestinian leaders working for peace..''
The White House released a text of the address this evening, with an infrequent advance release of a weekly address that underscores the administration's interest in getting a message out before another weekend of violence unfolds.
"Good morning,'' Bush plans to say in his weekly radio address airing Saturday morning. "Over the past week, I have been monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely with the members of my national security team. Secretary Rice is actively engaged in diplomacy.
"And I've been in contact with leaders throughout the region -- including the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, the President of Egypt, the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, and the Prime Minister of Israel.
"This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas -- a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel's destruction.
"Eighteen months ago, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in a coup, and since then has imported thousands of guns and rockets and mortars,'' Bush will say in his radio address.
"Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but Hamas routinely violated that ceasefire by launching rockets into Israel. On December 19th, Hamas announced an end to the ceasefire and soon unleashed a barrage of rockets and mortars that deliberately targeted innocent Israelis -- an act of terror that is opposed by the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people, President Abbas.
"In response to these attacks on their people, the leaders of Israel have launched military operations on Hamas positions in Gaza. As a part of their strategy, Hamas terrorists often hide within the civilian population, which puts innocent Palestinians at risk. Regrettably, Palestinian civilians have been killed in recent days.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people. Since Hamas's violent takeover in the summer of 2007, living conditions have worsened for Palestinians in Gaza. By spending its resources on rocket launchers instead of roads and schools, Hamas has demonstrated that it has no intention of serving the Palestinian people. America has helped by providing tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, and this week we contributed an additional $85 million through the United Nations. We have consistently called on all in the region to ensure that assistance reaches those in need. And as I told President Mubarak, America appreciates the role Egypt has played in facilitating the delivery of relief supplies in recent days.
"In addition to reducing humanitarian suffering, all nations must work toward a lasting end to the violence in the Holy Land, and a return to the path of peace. The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to achieve a meaningful ceasefire that is fully respected. Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable. And promises from Hamas will not suffice -- there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end. I urge all parties to pressure Hamas to turn away from terror, and to support legitimate Palestinian leaders working for peace.
"In the days ahead, the United States will stay closely engaged with our partners in the region, in Europe, and in the international community. My Administration will continue to keep the president-elect and his team informed. And America's objectives in the Middle East will remain clear: We seek security and peace for our allies, the free people of Israel. For the Palestinian people, we seek a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state that serves its citizens and respects its neighbors. For all in the region, we seek an end to terror. And we seek an enduring peace based on justice, dignity, and human rights for every person in every nation of the Middle East.
" Thank you for listening.''
Comments
Millions more for humanitarian aid to the Palestinians via the U.N. What a waste....the PLO leadership became millionaires from siphoning our aid, now Hamas...when will we learn...giving money to the U.N. makes about as much sense as the "greenies" proposed cow flatulence tax to reduce global warming. Hamas and their supporters should stand on their own without a dime. But there is new hope...Barack Hussain Obama (did I spell that right?)...now that he is elected it is P.C. to use that dreaded middle name...it cozies up to Islam...can't wait for his big foreign policy speech....apologizing for America again...heard it was to be in an Islamic state somewhere...Gaza sounds great, almost messianic.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 2, 2009 7:20 PM
On a sentiment like that one, the name bubba is appropriate.
Posted by: Now is the surname the profession? | January 2, 2009 8:17 PM
Bubba:
Is it safe to assume that you don't care about the billions of dollars that Americans have given to the Iraqi government that just went "lost" - that no one can even find? What about the hundreds of millions of dollars that we've given to Afghanistan warlords to "fight the Taliban" - how well has that worked out so far? How about the hundreds of millions we've spent to fight the cocaine trade in Columbia - the only result is that the price of a kilo of coke has dropped in the past decade.
Posted by: BC | January 2, 2009 10:14 PM
Bubba Porter = Jeff, after being Bill, after being Robert, and undoubtedly dozens of others.
Posted by: The Outer | January 2, 2009 10:23 PM
Here are the facts, No group has killed more americans than Hezbolla and Hamas. They are proxies. Meaning, each time a rocket is fired from the west bank, a 500 lb lazer guided bomb needs to find its way down the chimney of an Iraianian cleric. They are fully funded by Iran and the Saudis. I have fought these groups. The y intenionally hide amongst civilians. God speed to Israel. Perhaps, they will finish the job, then pay a visit on the Mullahs and Shieks.
Posted by: Jimmy C. | January 2, 2009 10:54 PM
It's nice that Shrub could finally find it in himself to take some time off from his failed legacy tour to make another statement on this crisis. And what's with all of this unwavering support of everything Israel does? Both sides are guilty of aggression and thug tactics, not just Palestine.
I can't wait for Jan 20, 2009 when we will finally have a real leader in the White House (Obama) and not one who takes his marching orders from the Neocons and the Israel lobby (Bush).
Posted by: Big Orange Satan | January 2, 2009 11:34 PM
Wher has the big Hamas supporter Don Fitzgereld, from Chicago been lately?
Un-Leash The Israeli Troops! Then Bring Them Home,Whole, And Alive!
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 3, 2009 12:14 AM
Israel is defending its civilian population from rocket attacks from the cowardly terrorist murders in control of Garza. President Bush recognizes the sovereignity of Israel and their right to defend their people and their country. Neo-Cons don't have to be fuzzy about this sort of thing.
The Tribune has said that the great Obama has been planning to give the Palestinians one of his stirring speeches. CNN is reporting that the Hamas Knuckleheads are calling out the great Obama. Calling him out like they are looking to square off with him. Don't think that the speech thing is going to get them to toe the line here, but I know, we all know, that the dems are just so much better at this conflict resolution stuff. They somehow always know what to do through their inestimable ability to pow-wow these little philosophical disputes. Can't script this. Waiting is just the hardest thing.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | January 3, 2009 1:56 AM
FREE COLLEGE EDUCATIONS @ INTERNETSURFSHACK.COM
Posted by: G | January 3, 2009 5:10 AM
I'm a sentimental guy...least we forget, I recall the Palestinians danced in the streets upon the murder of thousands of innocence Americans on 9/11. I also have great sentiment for people who want the world to live under medieval Shia law, preach "death to the infidels", and treat women like domestic slaves with little regard to basic human rights (do not forget the practice of "honor killing" or death by the stone for adultery). Sounds like a world class society and Liberals would live long and prosper. They need some "community organizers " and ACORN types to free up their minds. Maybe I was a little to harsh on Barry, but it will be a grave mistake to show meekness to the face of evil...remember that great pres. Carter and Obama's good friends, the French, gave us Ayatollah Khomeini...oops, sure hope this does not result in a death edict proclaimed by Supreme Ayatollah, maybe I should apologize.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 3, 2009 9:26 AM
Please see, www.discussrace.com Peace.
Posted by: Dave Myers | January 3, 2009 9:39 AM
BC...don't ya realize it takes billions to seed capitalism and keep it viable...google G.M.,UAW, Madoff, Congress...you'll get the picture.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 3, 2009 2:35 PM
Paulo @ 12:14 a.m.
I knew that Don Fitzgerald drinks the Obama Koolade by the mega-ton, and that he could see visions of glory in the ignominious Jimmy Carter, but I did not know that he was a big Hamas supporter too. That's just Liberal over-load.
Can't go where Liberals go. Up is down, wrong is right, and a sorereign nation cannot defend itself against rocket attacks into its' civilian population. That part of Liberalism totally defies logic. Liberalism will, in the end, surely secure annihilation. Of you.
I don't know if the great Obama can be rolled on this one, but to date he is not aligning himself with the murdererous Palestinian organization, aka Hamas. How are the Obama-ites dealing with this, I have to wonder. Are they really longing for the ignominious Jimmy Carter. U can't script this. Regards.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | January 3, 2009 2:43 PM
"Defending themselves from rocket attacks"
That's the latest catchphrase being mouthed and repeated by small minds here and in the White House.
Wholesale slaughter of civilians is going to end the rocket attacks.
Wholesale slaughter of women and children is going to make Israel safe and end terrorism.
Let me know when that happens.
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 3, 2009 8:50 PM
Where the heck are the Liberals / Leftists today? Watching football? Early celebratory start on the Obama coronation? Getting instructions from Jimmy Carter? Distressed over the imminent a** kicking fairly earned by Hamas? Liberals are a necessary evil when you are trying to understand billy goat logic, but where the heck are they?
Bubba P., I don't believe NO apologies are needed. Regards.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | January 3, 2009 10:01 PM
Where the heck are the Liberals / Leftists today?
Posted by: Django
-
We're out in the streets protesting. Where are you? Sitting in your armchair, General?
Posted by: Bruce Y | January 4, 2009 12:02 PM
Bruce Y,
To whom, are you protesting to? I suppose that you could pin it all on Bush and Cheney, but they are working with the moving van people and they have nothing to do with this.
Do Israeli children have any inherrent rights to grown up in the interior of their own country without having to dodge a randomly fired, cowardly rocket attack by a bunch of terrorists that HATE a sovereign Jewish State more than they care about their own people? What is the Liberal position on this matter? As for my generalship, Israel has far far better generals than I, which is further proof that there is, or there could be, a God.
When you protest, do you shout tired slogans, a lot of anti-Bush / anti-Cheney shout-outs, blame someone else, a Republican of course? Do you throw shoes, throw rocks, launch rockets? What a great country this is.
I am very sorry that Liberals are able to fuzz practically anything up to the point that no distinction can be made between right and wrong. I am blessed to not have this quality. Broken truces, broken half-a** agreements, random rocket attacks, suicidal bombers, Holocaust Deniars ~ there is probably no way that I could ever help you. Maybe put you on a prayer list, that's about all that I could ever do.
Jimmy Carter's Hamas buddies have the power to stop this. Just stop firing the damn rockets into Israel. And what kind of brilliant military strategy is that? Liberals will get us all killed. Have a nice Sunday evening.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | January 4, 2009 6:14 PM