Bush On Gaza Fighting: Israel Has The Right To Protect Itself

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Huffington Post

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush, in his first public reaction to Israel's ground invasion of Gaza, said Monday that the Jewish state was justified in protecting itself against Hamas militants.

"I understand Israel's desire to protect itself," Bush said in the Oval Office. "The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas."

Israel over the weekend began moving tanks and troops into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after a week of punishing aerial bombing of Hamas targets, which has caused civilian casualties and drawn widespread condemnation in the Muslim and Arab world. By moving ground forces into Gaza, Israel has raised the risk of escalating the latest Mideast conflict into urban warfare, which would surely increase the casualties and consequences for the region.

Bush, however, laid the blame squarely on Hamas, which the United States labels a terrorist organization.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/05/bush-on-gaza-f...

[bdamomma]

1. did we ever expect him to say anything different?

once a murderer always a murderer.

[subsuelo]

6. Typical right-wing b.s.

when israeli civilians die it's terrorism.

when palestinian civilians die it's called self-defense.

sad thing is, people actually believe it

[cstanleytech]

8. What bugs me the most is that the whole

use of the "you dont support their right to defend themselves" line the far rights trying to use to attack anyone saying that Israels handling this issue wrong, almost no ones saying they cant defend themselves but theres other ways to defend yourself.
Why don't they send in small covert teams to hunt down and take these people out for example rather than take out entire apartment buildings full of innocents?

[pasto76]

9. what would happen

if Hamas STOPPED firing rockets, and stopped suicide bombers?

SGT PASTO

[classysassy]

14. If

Israel would just go home.

[MadMaddie]

15. I don't believe Israel would stop the attacks

they want to obliterate Hamas no matter what the collateral damage is.

I am fine with Israel defending itself but they have attacked over 1000 sites in Palestine which is the size of Rhode Island with a dense population like New York.

Israel is not allowing any families to leave, they have no where safe to reside. This is outright slaughter of innocents.

Welcome to DU!

[Democrats_win]

10. He's also powerless to say anything different.

Recall that in another Gaza incursion, he told Israel to withdraw "without delay." They delayed.

Bush is the world's greatest eunuch.

[rateyes]

2. Another instance of Bush getting it wrong.

Fuck Bush.

[harun]

3. Is it Jan. 20th yet?

[Hulk]

4. Who really cares what this clown has to say???

I can hardly wait for 15 more days to pass so we can FINALLY be rid of this clown and his corrupt, corporate administration. LET THE TRIALS BEGIN!! I want this prick and his thugs to be held accountable in American courts for the crimes they have committed against the people, our Constitution and the world.

What a total ass hat!! I'm so ashamed to have this moron represent my country. We have sunk so low as a result of his tenure. Good riddance!!!!

[frog92969]

5. What else could he say?

They're using his playbook.

[bunnies]

7. He must be so proud.

The only thing we have more of after his 8 years is blood on our hands.

Fuck you, george.

[bdamomma]

11. I think Cheney is behind this whole thing.

they were waiting for Israel to start something.

[No Elephants]

12. I would not be surprised. At a minimum, they're glad it happened. Another mess for Obama on Day 1.

[madrchsod]

13. who? oh... that guy...

you mean some actually cared enough to report what he has to say?

[MadMaddie]

16. Anyone notice the oil and gas prices going up?

Or is it just me?

[silverojo]

18. We've noticed

But it'd take a braver soul than me to speculate the reasons why, on an internet forum.

[zelta gaisma]

17. at a 4 to 400 death ratio? is it up to that number yet?