'We were given a pill for the pain'
While most Palestinian are pleased with Bush's pledge to transfer USD 50 million to aid development, they are pessimistic about his ability to turn words into reality
In most Ramallah coffee shops on Friday, it was difficult to find local Palestinians who believe in Bush’s promises to do all he can to aid the Palestinian nation.
One Palestinian policeman said the only positive aspect of the visit is the financial aid pledged by the U.S.
“Perhaps this will help us breathe a little, but it is not certain they will do it,” he said. “We can see that they (U.S.) are unable to compel the Israelis to withdraw from the (Palestinian) cities, and are not even able to convince them to release the 400 prisoners Israel had promised.”
He said he estimates the U.S. would not confront Israel, adding that he supports Abbas’s stance to conduct diplomatic dialogue in order to achieve maximum support for the Palestinians.
Translating words into action
Ramallah merchant Abu Ahmed is also pessimistic about Bush’s recent declarations.
“The American president's words are like Tylenol for the Palestinians’ pain and Israeli crimes directed towards us,” he said. “They find it correct to give us a pill to calm and appease the pain, but they do not think about the basic and real solution to our problems and disputes.”
However, senior PA officials are a little more optimistic.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Arakat said the Palestinians appreciate Bush’s words, especially his efforts to call for Israel to halt all construction works in the settlements.
Prisoner affairs minister Sufian Abu Zaydeh told Ynet he believes the U.S. would now have to take substantial steps towards advancing the peace process in abid to turn Bush’s words into actions.
The key to advancing the process is for the U.S. to place pressure on Israel, he said.
“Israel must retreat from the Palestinian cities, dismantle roadblocks between the towns and release prisoners,” he said. “We believe these are key issues and if the Israelis cooperate and answer these demands, we will greatly thank them.”
He said the Americans must recognize the disengagement as part of the peace process, adding that steps towards establishing a Palestinian state must follow.
No approvals needed
However, Hamas leader for the West Bank Sheikh Hassan Yusef told Ynet the Palestinian opposition believes Bush’s words are “old and deceiving declarations,” designed for the media and public opinion.
"It is the continuation of American’s deceitful policies and declarations,” he said.
In response to Bush’s comments that Hamas remains a terror organization, Yusuf said his group does not need approval from the American president.
“We are fighting for our nation and for our rights, and we reject any American involvement in internal Palestinian issues,” he said, adding that the real terrorist is "he who carries out terror in the world in the name of democracy and concern for human rights.”
