But This is the Most Extremist Issue

Tony Blair is getting us here in Israel in trouble.

Blair pushes US on Palestine conflict

TONY BLAIR sought yesterday to increase the pressure on the US Government to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a way of preventing moderate Muslims from being exploited by extremists.

Appearing by video link before the Iraq Study Group, set up by President Bush to chart a new course for the country, the Prime Minister said repeatedly that the biggest factor in getting moderate Muslim countries to support the new Iraq would be progress on the Palestinian issue.

This is ridiculous. The "Pal." opposition to Israel, Zionism and Jews, ever since 1920, has been the most extremist position an Arab can take. To try to weaken Israel so as to resolve the issue and then to presume that this will lower the "extremist level" of the Arab/Islamic world is just plain silly and dangerous.

And how dangerous? Well, it could drag American policy that way:-

His demand coincided with growing signs that the bipartisan group was increasingly concerned over expectations that it could plot an end to the war. Privately members concede that no “magic solution” exists.

The expected report from the group, led by James Baker, Secretary of State to Mr Bush’s father, has assumed such importance for Republicans, Democrats and some foreign policymakers that aides are trying to dampen expectations. Mr Blair said that the Iraqi Government recognised that events outside the country were as important as developments inside.

Progress on a wider Middle East settlement would take away the issue that was most exploited by extreme elements, he said. Iran and Syria should be given the strategic choice of whether to be part of the solution or face isolation.

This is insane.