George Bush visits the misery he created

For a moment, I was rejoicing when I read on the Guardian's front page that George Bush had said, in respect of Israel, that "There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967". On the face of it, that is encouraging.

Sadly my euphoria only lasted until I got to page 22. A strap line read: "US leader implies largest settlements will remain":

The future borders of a Palestinian state, he said, would "require mutually agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current realities".

The use of the phrase "current realities" is a concession to the Israelis that "the largest settlements would remain".

Oh. Dear.

There are two things which have long infuriated me about the Bush administration. One is Guantanamo. The other is Bush's utterly stupid and destructive policy on Israel v Palestine. When you compare the nuanced, concerned, intelligent (though admittedly flawed) policy of Bill Clinton, the Bush policy is enough to make one weep.

He deserves the other headline, over an article by Jonathan Steele, in the Guardian which heralded his arrival in Israel:

Welcome, Mr President, to the misery you've created