Israeli Catholic analyst says U.S. part of Middle East problem

Published: 2008-03-04

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- A Catholic political analyst said the current U.S. administration is part of the problem in the Middle East, not the solution. "Unfortunately (President George W.) Bush's administration is a failure in the ... Middle East, starting in Afghanistan, stretching through to Iraq and moving on to Lebanon and Israel-Palestine," said Wadie Abunasser, an Arab and director of the International Center for Consultations in Haifa, Israel. "There is a lack of good American understanding of the reality and mentality of the region." Abunasser added that the situation continues to deteriorate because of a lack of sufficient international intervention, specifically by the United States. Despite the numerous visits to the region by members of the U.S. administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrived in Ramallah, West Bank, March 4, Arabs in general and Palestinians in particular do not feel they have benefited, he said. People were not optimistic about Rice's visit, Abunasser added.

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