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Bush Calls for End to Israeli 'Occupation'

Says 'swiss cheese' state won't do for Palestine

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 10, 2008 11:35 AM CST
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(Newser) – In a historic visit to the West Bank, President Bush today called on Israel to “end the occupation that began in 1967,” to make way for a Palestinian state. He also said that state would have to be contiguous. “Swiss cheese isn’t going to work,” he said. He called for  "new international mechanisms, including compensation, to resolve the refugee issue," acknowledging that  “painful” concessions are required to make peace. 

Palestine, for its part, must dismantle its “terrorist infrastructure,” Bush said. “No Palestinian state will be born out of terror.” Finally, he called on the people of Gaza to unseat Hamas, a “competing vision” that has “delivered nothing but misery.” His own role, he said, is to pressure the leaders and “be a pain, if I need to be a pain.”

President Bush makes a statement to the press on the progress of the Mideast Peace negotiations at the King David Hotel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, in Jerusalem, Israel. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Bush makes a statement to the press on the progress of the Mideast Peace negotiations at the King David Hotel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, in Jerusalem, Israel. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)   (Associated Press)
US President George W. Bush walks away from the podium after making a statement to the press on progress of the Mideast Peace negotiations at the King David Hotel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008 in Jerusalem, Israel. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
US President George W. Bush walks away from the podium after making a statement to the press on progress of the Mideast Peace negotiations at the King David Hotel, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008 in Jerusalem,...   (Associated Press)
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Israel won't stop building
Jerusalem Post (Israel)

World • US

 
Israel • Ehud Olmert • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Israel and Palestinians • Arab Israeli conflict • George W. Bush

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