Israeli foreign minister to US: You cannot treat an infestation with a Band-Aid

Jerusalem Post ^ | May. 4, 2003

[Chipata]

May. 4, 2003

Israeli foreign minister to US: You cannot treat an infestation with a Band-Aid

By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told visiting US Assitant Secretary of State William Burns on Sunday that Israel expects more than just a Palestinian Authority ceasefire with terror groups.

"You cannot treat an infestation with a band-aid," Shalom told reporters at the ministry, relaying what he told Burns in their meeting.

"We made it clear that we expect the Palestinians to fight terrorism, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and not just achieve a ceasefire as they are trying to arrange between the Palestinian Authority and the terrorist organizations," Shalom said.

"We won't accept an artificial ceasefire," which could make it harder for Israel to fight against terrorists once a truce is over, he said.

"It must be must be clear that the war aginst terror is essential to moving forward with the pece process. No other way is acceptable to us," Shalom added.

Burns had no direct response when asked about reports that in addition to seeking to implement the Road Map peace plan, US Secretary of State Colin Powell was also trying to win a resumption of Israeli-Syrian talks.

Burns repeated Powell's commitment to achieving comprehensive peace in the region and said he had nothing further to add on this point.

[George W. Bush]

The Israelis have a point. And their experience has been that any terrorist cease-fire or reduction in activity is only temporary. The terrorist elements must be rooted out.

[Dutch Boy]

You can not rationally deal with irrational people. Arafat is irrational. He can not be counted on to make rational agreements followed by rational actions. IMHO what ever he does is just another chess move in his game to rid the planet of Israel.

[Chipata]

"And their experience has been that any terrorist cease-fire or reduction in activity is only temporary."

A hand extended in friendship, a benevolent gesture, a movement towards peace, are considered a sign of great weakness in the Middle East. The minute Israel lets down her guard her enemies descend on her like a pack of rabid jackals.

[boris]

Good advice--considering that the U.S. itself is infested with illegal aliens and probably dozens of in-place moles, sleepers and sabotage cells...

[doc]

What they're really saying is "we will never agree to the roadmap for peace".

[George W. Bush]

You'd say the same if the PLO was your next-door neighbor.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

I wish the Israelis would just all-out destroy the Palestinians.
Do us all a favor.
I just cannot believe they continue to put up with this crap!

[playball0]

The Israelis were on the verge of doing so and REAGAN stopped them in Lebanon. Worst mistake of his Admin and that include Iran-Contra.

[American in Israel]

When a serial killer stops killing you do not shower him with presents, in the same way the Arabs should be prosicuted for the killings not praised when they stop for a while.

I do not understand this give them a State if the will just stop killing for a month or two BS. I also do not understand why they are incapible of stopping killing for such a prize, is killing that fun for them?

[BenR2]

The Israelis have a point. And their experience has been that any terrorist cease-fire or reduction in activity is only temporary. The terrorist elements must be rooted out.

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The State Department is staffed and run by Israel-hating Arabists. The Israeli FM's logic will fall on deaf ears at Foggy Bottom.

Speaking of infestations, Foggy Bottom is infested with Arabists.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Perfect point! I wish I had thought of this phrase myself...you can't treat an infestation with a band-aid.

[George W. Bush]

We have the same problem with arabists in our State Department as the British had in their Foreign Office.

[BenR2]

We have the same problem with arabists in our State Department as the British had in their Foreign Office.

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Correct. And the French in their Foreign Ministry . . . . And the list goes on and on.