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Friday September 7, 2001

Bush was right to bail from Durban

AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, sent a message to President Bush this week praising his bold moves in attempting to thwart anti-Israel action at the U.N.'s World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa.

While many in the Jewish community oppose Bush's domestic policies, the president rightly deserves praise not only from AIPAC but from all of us for his stance against Palestinian actions in Durban.

Bush has proven himself to be a major supporter of Israel. While the administration from time to time has criticized some of Israel's actions during the current intifada, it has reserved its harshest words for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

And judging by Arafat's performance in Durban, he will hear a lot more heated pronouncements from the Bush administration.

Bush was right when he told Secretary of State Colin Powell not to go to Durban. And Bush was right again Monday when he ordered a lower-level State Department delegation to leave Durban.

It was important for the United States to demonstrate forcefully its displeasure with the Palestinians and others who held participants virtually hostage while they ranted on about Israeli racism.

By midweek, both France and the European Union were threatening to also quit the conference unless the final document deleted the accusation that Zionism equals racism. You can bet France and the EU would not have made such a threat had the United States not pulled out first.

By bringing U.S. delegates home, Bush showed world leaders he viewed the conference as a sham. Reportedly, many newspapers around the world echoed that view.

It's a terrible shame the conference was derailed from its original purpose -- to urge an end to apartheid and racism worldwide. There was much to discuss and act on.

Instead, the Palestinians, aided by Arab and Muslim countries, took over and showed once again how subversive they can be.

We thank Bush for recognizing that fact and taking action to show his utter disgust.

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