Palestinian Statehood

Nineteen more innocents are dead in Israel following another homicide bombing of a bus. There will be more to come. Meanwhile, President Bush appears ready to reward the terrorists with a state of their own. The President may announce his plan for a so-called "interim Palestinian state" as early as today.

That would be a disaster for many reasons. First, it would show that terror pays. Yasser Arafat, Hamas and the rest of the murdering thugs in the region will have gained a victory through violence and without having to pledge to stop it. Second, a sovereign state means the Palestinian Authority will be able to bring in weapons to be used against Israel with no one able to stop them.

Third, a sovereign state means a seat at the United Nations from which the P.A. will further harangue Israel and the United States and Europe will take its side in all disputes with Israel. It is a disaster and if President Bush does it, he will be making a huge mistake. I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.