THE MOST MODERATE PALESTINIANS MONEY CAN BUY. Which isn't saying much, but that seems to be President Bush's continuing goal. And how much does a moderate Palestinian government coast these days? According to John Podhoretz of the New York Post, the down payment comes out to:

$498 million - half a billion solely because Abbas is not Hamas.

How about the fact that Abbas is Fatah? Remember, the one's with the Charter that still contains the goal for their peace partner:

Article (12) Complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence.

Podhoretz tries to be reassuring to friends of Israel who are wary of President Bush's speech that:

despite Bush's embrace of diplomatic techniques used in the past solely to put pressure on Israel - supporters of Israel shouldn't fear the results of yesterday's speech.

Yes, Bush called for an "international conference." Yes, he spoke warmly of European and Arab participation in a two-state solution. But he made it clear that, in the American perspective - which is really the only perspective that matters - there will only be a Palestinian state if there is a Palestinian revolution in consciousness.

The problem is that we've been here before, many times--and assured many times that despite the appearance of pressure on Israel, no Palestinian state will be created unless the Palestinian Arabs reject terrorism. But each time, the only visible pressure--is on Israel. The only real concessions made--are by Israel. It is a game where Israel stares down the same gun barrel, not really sure what the US--and the West--are up to.

Enough of Russian Roulette.

Technorati Tag: Israel and President Bush and John Podhoretz.