I normally do not post about the Arab-Israeli conflict, as it is the most complex and distasteful issue of our civilization. However, Bush's recent endorsement of Sharon's policies supporting blatantly illegal occupation of the Palestinians brought this pronouncement by the European Jews for a Just Peace:

....Bush's endorsement of Sharon's unilateral approach is a rejection of any genuine 'two-state' agreement. Its waiving of international law in favour of illegally-created 'facts on the ground' is a cynical endorsement of the philosophy of 'might is right'. The so-called 'withdrawal' from Gaza is in reality merely a relocation of Jewish settlements, while Israel retains military bases and exercises control over Gaza's borders, coast, airspace and water. The strip will remain a vast detention camp, a concentration of misery and despair that will breed more terrorists, whose acts will cynically be used by Sharon to continue to refuse negotiations. The six settlement blocks which Sharon has made clear, with Bush's approval, will remain under Israeli rule are deliberately located so as to slice up the West Bank and make a genuine 'peaceful, democratic and viable' Palestinian state impossible. The cruel and illegal 'apartheid wall' will remain in its criminal route through Palestinian lands, with only cosmetic changes; imprisoning Palestinians, destroying their livelihoods, and ensuring the continuation of the sadistic regime of 'closure' and collective punishment of an entire people. An 'agreed, just, fair and realistic' solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees can only be found through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, that recognises Israel's role in creating the problem and its responsibility for sharing in a solution, as well as Israel's legitimate concerns. Bush's endorsement of Israel's rejection of this approach can only reinforce hatred and embitter relations between the two peoples beyond any hope of reconciliation. In particular the statement is a betrayal of those among both peoples who have been struggling together for a non-violent strategy of resistance to the 'apartheid wall'. As the reaction from Hamas shows, the statement will be seen as a rejection of peace through negotiation between equals, and as confirmation of the argument that Israel and the USA only understand the language of violence....

Why can't Kerry throw his support to this faction of the Jewish vote instead of betraying our basic democratic principles when he genuflects to Bush?