Press sees cloud over Sharon visit

Israeli and Palestinian papers worry about the outcome of talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and US President George W Bush, in the wake of violence at the weekend in the Gaza Strip and attempts by Jewish extremists to hold a rally at Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Israeli commentators believe Mr Sharon, who is seeking support for his Gaza disengagement plan, is unlikely to get an easy ride. Palestinian papers urge Mr Bush to warn his guest against endangering the international peace plan, known as the roadmap.

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Israel

When reports of the mortar shells landed on his desk, like the latest drawings of Israel's construction plans in the territories, President Bush told his advisers: "I am disturbed and I am worried"... Bush will let Sharon eat the Texan steak he will serve him... But as the president has made clear lately: He will tell his guest privately that the expansion of settlements must stop.

Commentary in Yediot Aharonot

There will be embraces and mutual compliments, photos and back slapping, but there will also be criticism. Bush has no intention of letting Sharon return home without understanding what he [Bush] really thinks about speeding up construction in the settlements... Bush salutes the disengagement and he will wait until we reach it.

Commentary in Maariv

Bush is not looking for a crisis with Sharon. The Israeli officials correctly diagnosed the main purpose of the meeting: To help Sharon execute the disengagement and to encourage him to cooperate with the Palestinians. Thus, Bush is careful with his criticism. Along with demands for explanations about settlement construction, he makes sure he praises the historic move led by Sharon to withdraw from Gaza.

Commentary in Haaretz

Israel is madness-stricken. A government and prime minister who have totally lost their sanity are in charge. There is no other explanation for the events of the last two days. The biggest madness took place in the Gaza Strip. Tens of Qassam rockets and mortar shells landed and the state of Israel remains silent... If this is "calm", then one wonders what a storm would look like. And then there were the events at Temple Mount...

Commentary in Hatzofe

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Palestinian

There are indications that the tremor which hit the lull, with the Israeli assassination of three teenage boys in the Gaza Strip, will overshadow the Texas ranch meeting... Bush knows that Sharon has not been committed to the US call to stop settlement expansion in the West Bank... Bush has to tell him frankly that settlement is a flagrant breach of the roadmap.

Commentary in Al-Hayat al-Jadidah

The assassination of three teenagers in Rafah was simultaneous with the attempts by fanatics to break into the al-Aqsa mosque, as if there were a plan to blow up everything including the lull... There is a need for a decisive US position to end the Israeli evasiveness.

2nd commentary in Al-Hayat al-Jadidah

Sharon - Washington's favourite visitor - needed such actions [the attempted rally at Temple Mount and the killing of Palestinians] to convince his American host of his political logic and plans... He has started his visit with a campaign to convince the Americans that the Palestinian president talks too much but does very little, and that he cannot be depended on... This indicates that Israel is not interested in any lull.

Commentary in Al-Ayyam

The area around Haram al-Sharif [Temple Mount] should get the international protection it deserves, until the problem is solved permanently in peace negotiations.

2nd commentary in Al-Ayyam

It is clear that shaking the truce serves neither the Israeli government nor the Palestinian Authority... It does not help Sharon that his greatest ally receives him at his ranch while the truce is being shaken.

3rd commentary in Al-Ayyam

The Jewish fanatics will not find peace until they commit their hideous crime [destroying the al-Aqsa mosque]. We... should always be vigilant and understand that this crime could happen at any moment.

Commentary in Al-Quds

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