Bush called on Israel “to freeze settlement activity, help Palestinians build a thriving economy and ensure that a new Palestinian state is truly viable, with contiguous territory on the West Bank.” Enunciating a vision that can be attained only by dismantling more Jewish towns and communities in Judea and Samaria, Bush stated bluntly that “a state of scattered territories [for the PLO] will not work.” Many Jewish communities, reestablished on ancient biblical sites in territory liberated from the Arabs in the Six-Day War, are located along the main highway linking Arab-populated cities in Judea and Samaria. It is these Jewish towns and villages that will have to be dismantled, according to the Bush vision, to make a 23rd "viable" Arab country in the Middle East. Bush even promised that something like this would actually happen, and offered American support: “As Palestinian leaders assume responsibility for Gaza and an increasingly larger territory, we will help them build the economic and political and security institutions needed to govern effectively.” Bush said he will direct Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to attend a conference to be hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London next month “to convey America's strong support for the Palestinian people as they build a democratic state.” Among the many entities that oppose a PA state is the Zionist Organization of America. The terrorist war waged by the PA Arabs against Israel, as well as "their culture of anti-Jewish hatred and violence," indicate that a PA state will not be "peaceful and democratic," but rather a terrorist entity, the ZOA has stated. "President Bush promised to end terrorist states, not create new ones," ZOA President Morton Klein said. Just 13 years ago, then-US President George W. Bush, Sr. sent a letter of assurance to Israel, stating, "In accordance with the United States' traditional policy, we do not support the creation of an independent Palestinian State." Present-day Pres. Bush had a message yesterday for the Arabs as well: “Arab states must end incitement in their own media, cut off public and private funding for terrorism, stop their support for extremist education, and establish normal relations with Israel.” He said that PA leaders should “confront and dismantle terrorist groups, fight corruption, encourage free enterprise, and rest true authority with the people. Only a democracy can serve the hopes of Palestinians and make Israel secure and raise the flag of a free Palestine.” Bush’s speech, made at a gathering of academics, business leaders, and diplomats, also touched on the issues of U.S.- European relations, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The audience received his remarks with subdued applause.
