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Bush demands end to Israeli 'occupation'
George W Bush today called for the end to the Israeli "occupation" of the Palestinian territories, in language that marks a hardening of his stance towards one of the United States' closest allies. Speaking after meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on his tour of the Middle East, the US president urged both sides to makes sacrifices to bring about peace. "There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967," Mr Bush told reporters. "Now is the time to make difficult choices. The agreement must establish a Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people." He added: "I am confident that with proper help the state of Palestine will emerge." Earlier, Mr Bush had called for an agreement on a Palestinian state by the time he leaves office, saying it must not be riddled like "Swiss cheese" with pockets of Israeli territory. But Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister, used the opportunity of Mr Bush's Holy Land visit to state that Israel regards the larger settlements in the West Bank and those in Arab East Jerusalem as not up for negotiation. Posted by: Fred 2008-01-11 |
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