Israel has violated the first cease fire negotiated between Palestinians and Israelis in the post-Arafat era.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=4&u=/ap/20050410/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians&
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The death of Arafat some months ago was supposed to have opened up a new era of potential trust and an opportunity for more positive negotiations between the two sides. Without Arafat, it was said, ceasefires could be more robust, since Arafat's alleged ties to terrorism would be broken in the Palestinian Authority. This has proven to be an incorrect theory.
If the U.S. remains silent and gives its tacit approval to continued Israeli oppression in the occupied territories after these fresh atrocities, it is undoubtedly going to raise anti-American sentiment throughout the Middle East. I still believe that the Palestinian situation remains the most significant contributor to Arab hostility to the U.S. and, potentially, to anti-Western terrorism. A solution to this crisis would do more to end the "war on terror", in our favor, than any other single domestic or foreign act.
Next Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon meets President Bush. Bush has stated he will bring up the topic of continued expansion of West Bank settlements. If Sharon does not limit these new large settlements, it is time for the U.S. to start taking real action for peace. The chance for peace opened up by the death of Arafat should not be poisoned by greater Israeli intrasigence.
How far should the U.S. go?