After a flurry of false hope, the situation in Israel/Palestine only gets more depressing. I've been watching this closely for a year and half and I see the same pattern over and over again. As soon as Sharon is afraid that peace might break out, he can be counted on for a standard response. He assassinates a Palestinian leader, preferably Hamas, and waits for the retaliatory suicide bombing. It comes and then he can "protect" Israel by killing as many Palestinians as he can. It's worked well up to now and it still seems to be working.

Bush has inserted himself into this with his usual naiveté and arrogance, which can be a deadly combination.

Source, quoting Bush: 'We have a problem with Sharon'

Behind-the-scenes exchanges between President George Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at last week's Aqaba summit may hint at a certain shift in the American stance, from the Israeli to the Palestinian side, according to a participant in the three-way meeting of the delegations.

The source quoted Bush as telling his National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that "I see that we have a problem with Sharon," while saying of the Palestinians led by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, "We can work with them."

At one point, an irked Bush reportedly rebuked Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, telling him "Oh, but I think that you can [help the Palestinians]. And I think that you will."
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So, has Mofaz been helping the Palestinians? Well, not exactly. Early last week Hamas attacked and killed Israeli soldiers. Israel called this an act of terrorism but it was a military action against a military occupation which is not terrorism and is legal. Israel responds with a rocket attack on a Hamas leader that kills several civilians. It's been downhill since.

June 10

Bush Criticizes Israel, Struggles for Peace Plan

Bush Rebukes Israel for Attack in Gaza

June 11

Bush Under Fire in Congress for Criticizing Israel

16 killed as suicide bomber blows up in bus in capital

June 12

26 killed in day of violence in Israel

Downward Spiral in the Mideast

Is Sharon to blame? Israelis wonder
PM's bid to kill Hamas leader condemned

June 13

'Total war' engulfs Middle East as road map is torn to shreds

Israel Kills Militant in Anti-Hamas Push
Escalating war of words accompanies increasing violence. As hopes for peace plan dim, Bush administration pins blame on 'terrorists.'

Israel Presses Assault on Hamas With Gaza Missile Strikes

Furious Americans urge Arab world to condemn bombers

Hamas vows to 'tear Israel to pieces' after Gaza attack

June 13

Israel Kills 6th Militant in 'War to Bitter End'

Israel defies restraint plea with new strike on Hamas

Doesn't sound like Israel is trying real hard for peace. But then, it never has. Here are some analysis pieces on the road map and recent events.

The Road Map: Where next after Aqaba?

Analysis / Bush may be 'deeply troubled,' but Israel isn't

Analysis / The missile aimed at Hamas hits Abbas and Bush

As the Road Map unravels...

A Road Map to Where?

Until someone can lean on Sharon to stop, there will only be more blood on Israel's hands. And it doesn't look like there will be anyone that will stand up to Sharon. The butcher continues to do what he does so well.