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As Israelis, Palestinians head to Annapolis, Syrians sign up »

Posted by: JamesMarcus 1 year, 11 months ago

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President Bush will preside at a dinner on Monday night in Annapolis, Md., that will mark the beginning of the first major international peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians since the Clinton administration. The Associated Press reports that Bush is scheduled to make a speech that reiterates his support for the peace process, but that is unlikely to contain any new proposals.

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JamesMarcus

James Marcus is a writer, translator, critic, and editor. He is the author of Amazonia: Five Years at the Epicenter of the Dot-Com Juggernaut and ...

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Comments: 235

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nikkibabe
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:29 p.m.
The result will be a big "0". You cannot invade, occupy and destroy a muslim country and hold a peace conference for the same region.
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quackpot
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:32 p.m.
A speach that "reiterates" hs support for the peace process???
When was Bush ever interested in peace?
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rumple4skin
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:36 p.m.
Hamas, an uninvited player, was not included in the guest list.
"President Bush will preside at a dinner on Monday night in Annapolis, Md., that will mark the beginning of the first major international peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians since the Clinton administration." This is a very expensive dinner that will net nothing but further meetings. A complete waste without ALL the players.
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joeblowe
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:40 p.m.
I get it. It's secretly a ROAST of GWB. Calling it a "peace conference" is simply an ironic joke. I get it. HaHaHaHA.
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fabio2007
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:42 p.m.
The only thing the middle east understands is strength. Anyone who doesn't understand this obviously doesn't understand 9/11.
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marshx
Nov. 26, 2007, 12:45 p.m.
Nice try, though i think there would've been progress if they invited Hamas. They control Gaza, how can they abide by anything decided without their participation?
palamaComment has been removed: Retracted by user
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Endoscopy
Nov. 26, 2007, 1:01 p.m.
It is difficult for Israel to negotiate with those who refuse to give them the right to exist. Where do you go from there.
put in wrong place.
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splitrch
Nov. 26, 2007, 4:09 p.m.
"(Bush will) make clear that Mideast peace is a top priority for the rest of his time in office through January 2009, but he is not expected to advance any of his own ideas on how to achieve that, Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley said Sunday."
How can this be a top priority if he plans to do nothing? He has an opportunity to do repair his image. Should his legacy be one of needless war and missed opportunities? Not every President has opportunities like this. He shouldn't squander it.
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MonkeyBiz
Nov. 26, 2007, 4:15 p.m.
"(Bush will) make clear that Mideast peace is a top priority for the rest of his time in office through January 2009, but he is not expected to advance any of his own ideas on how to achieve that."
The notion that peace in the Mideast will be a top Bush priority is absurd and surreal.
Of course he won't be advancing any ideas on how to achieve peace in the Mideast. He doesn't have a clue on how to achieve peace, nor does he probably want to.
Bush is desperately searching for something, (anything!) that will give his presidency a positive legacy. He had seven years to do something about the Israeli/Palistinian problem, and did nothing. All he accomplished in that time was to convince all the Arabs that the US was not an honest broker of peace.
If anything comes of this meeting, it will be from the efforts of the mideasterners, not Bush, though he will no doubt attempt to take the credit.
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Edmar14
Nov. 26, 2007, 4:29 p.m.
I find that if you block and ignore Hyperbola, the conversation becomes much more reasonable and although opinions may vary, they are on a much more intelligent level.
Those who can understand the concept of the decolonialization of the Ottoman Empire after WWI can appreciate the fact that while most of the middle east became Arab/Moslem countries covering vast areas of land, the little area of Palestine was divided into a Palestinian homeland and a Jewish homeland as it should have been. The equality lies in the fact that 1 billion Moslems have numerous countries of their own which is Moslem in character, politics and culture. Israel is a tiny piece of property in this sea of Islam and it should retain it's Jewish character, politics and culture the same as the arab countries retain theirs. Any additional homeland for the Palestinians beyond Jordan should solve any existing problem. A right of return for displaced persons should be in a new Palestinian state or Jordan, not Israel.
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NelsonR
Nov. 26, 2007, 5:51 p.m.
Hamas the governing body elected by the majority of citizens, (Democracy) is devoid within this conference, what does anyone expect? Another Bush administration and with the acquiescence of Rice, a joke. We are led by idiots who would keep the Arabs in check while continuing the favoring of Israel. Too many Israeli's dictate the agenda in American politics without fair and bi partisan treatment.
The West which includes France, Britian and the U.S. have sown the seeds of the Middle East dilema, live with it until a fair and unbiased leader and Representatives represent America and the world fairly.
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NelsonR
Nov. 26, 2007, 5:59 p.m.
A conference of Peace while the true governing body, Hamas is ignored. I thought a Democracy was the governing of the majority of the people by the people. Here we are awaiting good news while the main participant is absent. What is leading the world, idiots. No good will come of this conference and it is becoming apparent that the Israeli lobby is controlling the American agenda.
France, Britain and the U.S. have instituted the problems within the Middle East yet they persist in remedying the situation with more Israeli dictates. Fair and balanced is not part of the equation, Israel is our 51st state and the Arabs be damned. NOT FAIR. Again, how can you have a peace conference without the duly elected leaders in office?
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Thinker22
Nov. 26, 2007, 8:48 p.m.
> Without money Hamas or President Abbas, who is not the true Democratically elected representative, cannot continue to function.
Please consider that in case the Palestinians (no matter WHO represents them) will sign a peace agreement and will be able to comply with it they will be WASHED in money coming to them from the US, Europe and, yes, Israel.
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kobzikov
Nov. 26, 2007, 9:16 p.m.
There will be no peace until Israel wants peace. And it doesn't, at least not right now. I mean let's ignore the issue of $4 billion in military and other assistance that US gives annually to Israel, which hinge on continued conflict. Likewise, let's ignore all the UN resolutions that Israel is in violation off and has been for some time.
As van Clausewitz said: "war is a continuation of politics by other means." So what are Israel's policies in relation to Palestinians? Complete economic and even humanitarian blockade in Gaza. In West Bank: a separation wall, continued construction of settlements, more roadblocks, checkpoints, and construction of infrastructure for exclusive use by Israeli settlers, in other words colonial occupation. Let's ignore the treatment of Palestinians on their own land for now as well.
So the question is why should Israel sue for peace? It gains nothing of value, but has to give up a multitude of its colonial gains and grant concessions.
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KYRed
Nov. 26, 2007, 10:39 p.m.
The Syrians are there just for the free accomodations. the shrimp and steak and drinks.
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MisterX
Nov. 27, 2007, 1:26 a.m.
Some are arguing that this meeting could lead to the peace treaty described in the Book of Revelation, that begins seven years of outright hell throughout the Earth. It would suck if that were the case. It's bad enough that life outright blows to begin with. It'll be icing on the cake to get short-changed to boot.
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hyperbola
Nov. 27, 2007, 7:55 a.m.
The best hope for peace between the peoples of palestine is the abandonment of 19th century racist totalitarianism by israelis AND the condemnation by american jews of 19th century racist totalitarianism by american zioncons. This is proceeding faster than most americans are aware.
Jewish Glasnost Update: Zionist Panic!
... When the Zionist right in America "defends Israel" by going after one of Israel's most respected newspapers which happens to tell the truth about the occupation and related matters, it's not hard to see why Pipes & co. have little cause for optimism. The Zionist moment is over, because most Jews around the world (and even many in Israel) are not inclined to a nationalist view of their Jewishness. And remember, Zionism is not much more than 100 years old, arising along with the nationalist currents of late 19th century Europe that accompanied the breakup of the Hapsburg empire.
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hyperbola
Nov. 26, 2007, 2:54 p.m.
Well Slate, the latest charade in Annapolis has so far not sdhown any indication of being a talk about peace. Too many crimes against humanity have once again been ignored.
The Myth of Middle East Peace
Do No Evil â;; This week in Annapolis the Israeli colonialist state meets to consider the fate of its Palestine colony, the one carefully preserved behind its apartheid wall of infamy, to attempt once again the fraud perpetrated on the American people and the United Nations that Israel is sincere in wanting peace...
http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2007/11/26/t...