"The world finds itself at a critical moment. This is a conflict that can widen or an opportunity we can seize".
In his speech yesterday President Bush accurately described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the danger that it could threaten the entire Middle East region. As an exercise in political leadership his intervention came none too soon, after the appalling events of recent days. US passivity up to now has drawn unprecedented criticism at home and abroad. His call yesterday for an end to violence, an Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian areas it has occupied and a return to political dialogue brokered by the Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, is welcome and altogether necessary. But it must be conducted in cooperation with the United Nations and the European Union if it is to be balanced and politically credible.
Mr Bush effectively gave his backing to the Israeli prime minister after the Passover suicide bombing atrocity, in which 26 people have now died. Yesterday he was highly critical of Mr Yasser Arafat, whom he accused of betraying the hopes of his people by not delivering on his renunciation of terror, thereby putting himself in a situation largely of his own making. The Israeli prime minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, took this as endorsing his systematic attack on the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority.
European and Arab critics have underlined the contradictory stance of destroying the very capacities which US and Israeli leaders have demanded should be used to combat terrorism. In a further twist, the effort to undermine Mr Arafat has in fact restored his legitimacy as a leader in the eyes of his people. EU foreign ministers have correctly insisted he remains Israel's indispensable negotiating partner. Mr Romano Prodi's blunt warning this week that US mediation efforts have failed and must be succeeded by a broader and more cooperative international approach is a clear signal that European patience had snapped with Mr Bush's indulgent approach towards Mr Sharon. Transatlantic fences now need to be mended if effective international pressure is to be exerted on the Israelis and Palestinians.
As Mr Bush said yesterday, "the storm of violence cannot go on". Events in Bethlehem brought home dramatically his further point that "it is crucial to distinguish between the terrorists and Palestinians seeking to provide for their families", and his call for humane treatment of civilians. If Israel continues the operation for the next few days before Mr Powell arrives much of the goodwill generated by Mr Bush's speech could be dissipated. Stopping the storm of violence will require immediate action by Israeli forces and Palestinian leaders. The fundamental significance of this welcome return to full engagement by the US is that it came in response to a widespread international demand for political and diplomatic action to stop the crisis spreading. Now the international community must deliver on that promise.