someone said:
I don't disagree with this. The problem is that rather than putting pressure on Israel, Bush as chosen to ally himself and support Israel at every opportunity. Lasting peace will not come from a one sided agreement forced on the Palestinians.
There is nothing that will shake the alliance between the US and Israel. Nothing. There are as many Jews in the US as there are in Israel, the West Bank is full of settlers from Brooklyn. The relationship is far too close for anything to come between the two countries - this is one thing both sides of the political spectrum agree on in the US. I'm not as supportive of Israel as my government is but I live in the real world, and in that world this alliance is unshakable.
Having said that (in more words than necessary as I look at it) this does not preclude the US putting pressure on Israel - Sharon knows that. Remember, nations have interests, not friends. It is in the US's interest to see peace, they now have a party to negotiate with.
It's the Middle East, anything can happen, defeat has been snatched from the jaws of victory more than once - but with the EU, US Russia and now a credible Palestinian PM to work on this there is a fighting chance. I hope we seize it.
Peace in the Middle East could well be Bush's legacy, like winning the cold war is Reagan's.
OTB