Jewish refugees? What Jewish refugees?

By Les Kinsolving

During President Bush’s visit to Israel, the Washington Post reported on Page 1:

“President Bush said Thursday that Palestinian refugees should receive compensation for the loss of homes they fled, or were forced to flee, during the establishment of Israel and declared that there should be an end to Israel’s occupation of lands seized in war four decades ago. … There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967.”

This incredible statement begs a number of questions:

  • If President Bush believes Palestinian Arabs who fled during the establishment of Israel should be compensated by Israel, why was there no mention of the 870,000 Jews who at that time lost all their property in 10 Arab nations when they were forced to become refugees in Israel? They have never been reimbursed by these 10 nations that seized their property.

  • The newly established nation of Israel was immediately attacked by five Arab nations and by Palestinian Arabs who were bent on frequently announced intent of exterminating or “driving all Jews into the sea.”

  • In 1967, a number of these Arab nations were poised for another Judenrein, when the Israel Defense Forces dealt them a massive defeat. So why should Israel return to the Arabs half of the city of Jerusalem and so much of the West Bank as to leave Israel at one point north of Tel Aviv only 12 miles wide?

  • Since the majority of the Parliament of the Palestinian Authority are members of Hamas – which refuses to recognize the existence of Israel, upon which they continue to fire missiles – why on earth does President Bush expect Israel to deal with – much less give up any land to – these anti-Jewish fanatics?

  • Israel has allowed Arabs to vote and to elect members of its Parliament, the Knesset. Why has the Bush administration failed to demand that the Palestinian Authority’s Parliament allow Jews to be elected – or else lose all aid (including medical) from the U.S.? Why is there relative silence from President Bush regarding Hamas’ Nazi-like hatred and exclusion of all Jews?


Before the return of President Bush from his trip to the Middle East, I asked about this of Deputy White House Press Secretary Tony Fratto at the daily news briefing:

QUESTION: The top of Page 1 of the Washington Post reported from Jerusalem the president saying the Palestinian refugees in 1948 should receive compensation for loss of homes, when they fled or were forced to flee during the establishment of the state of the Israel. And my question: Is there any record of anyone asking the president about the 870,000 Jews who at that time were forcibly expelled from their homes in 10 Arab countries and have never been compensated for the lost property?

FRATTO: I’m not aware of the president having been asked that question.

QUESTION: And do you have an answer to it, since I’m raising it?

FRATTO: I’m not aware of the – you asked if I knew if the president has been asked, and I told you I’m not aware that he has or hasn’t.

QUESTION: Nobody’s asked. All right.

FRATTO: Not that I’m aware of.

That begs the question as to why among all the U.S. reporters who accompanied Bush to the Middle East, none of them, reportedly, asked the president any questions about this issue.

Only WorldNetDaily – at the White House.

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Les Kinsolving

Les Kinsolving hosts a daily talk show for WCBM in Baltimore. His radio commentaries are syndicated nationally. His show can be heard on the Internet 9-11 p.m. Eastern each weekday. Before going into broadcasting, Kinsolving was a newspaper reporter and columnist – twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his commentary. Kinsolving's maverick reporting style is chronicled in a book written by his daughter, Kathleen Kinsolving, titled, "Gadfly." Read more of Les Kinsolving's articles here.