For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 29, 2008
Press Briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe
Crawford Middle School
Crawford, Texas
Press Briefings

9:54 A.M. CST

www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/12/20081229-1.html

MR. JOHNDROE: Good morning, I'll give you an update on the President's day.
President Bush spoke by phone to His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan this
morning, regarding the situation in the Middle East. Following that, the
President received his daily intelligence briefing via secure video. He then
joined a discussion via secure video with the Vice President, Chief of Staff
Josh Bolten, and National Security Advisor Steve Hadley. They updated him on
overnight developments in the Middle East and discussed U.S. actions.

For six months, a ceasefire, a state of calm, was in place between Hamas and
Israel. Recently, Hamas refused to renew it. During that ceasefire, Hamas
continued to fire rockets. Last week, Hamas substantially increased its
rocket and mortar attacks on the people of Israel.

Hamas has once again shown its true colors as a terrorist organization that
refuses to even recognize Israel's right to exist. In order for the violence
to stop Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel, and agree to respect a
sustainable and durable ceasefire. That is the objective to which all
parties need to be working, and that is what the United States is working
towards.

We also remain concerned about the humanitarian situation for the people of
Gaza. We ask that all parties involved allow food and medical supplies to
reach the people there. We appreciate the efforts of a variety of countries
in the region who are working to help the humanitarian needs of the people
of Gaza.
With that, I'll be happy to take your questions. Deb.

Q What does Israel hope to achieve by this? I mean, what's the end game?

MR. JOHNDROE: Israel is responding to a barrage of rocket and mortar attacks
that increased substantially last week, following Hamas's refusal to renew
the ceasefire. Israel has made clear that they do not want to retake Gaza,
that they simply want the people of southern Israel to be able to live in
peace, free from this barrage of rocket attacks.

And that's what we expect. We also want to see, as I've said, the ceasefire
restored in a sustainable and durable fashion, so that we can get back on
the road map, work towards the goals of the Annapolis process, which, again,
is two states living side by side in peace.

Q -- I mean, is just going to rekindle radicalism, isn't it?

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, it's hard for me to speak to specific casualty
numbers. We have urged the Israelis to avoid civilian casualties. But they
are working on decreasing the number of Israeli citizens that are
vulnerable. And we know -- I believe someone died this morning, a couple of
people a couple of days ago. The Israelis are working to reduce the threat
against their own people.

So they're going to continue, it appears at this time, to deal with this
Hamas terrorist threat. But ultimately, we want a sustainable and durable
ceasefire.
Toby.

Q You said in your opening statement that the President was updated on U.S.
actions. What are these U.S. actions that you're taking related to this?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, the U.S. goal is for the sustainable ceasefire, as I've
discussed. Secretary Rice has been on the phone throughout the weekend with
various heads of state, primarily foreign ministers, to try and urge the
various parties involved to get behind a sustainable ceasefire. That is what
the United States is working on right now. Secretary Rice has been the
primary interlocutor on that, and that's our goal.

Q And how long before the United States might come out and call for
restraint from Israel on the air strikes?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, that's really, in my opinion, a hypothetical question.
Israel is going after terrorists who are firing rockets and mortars into
Israel, and they are taking the steps that they feel are necessary to deal
with the terrorist threat. Now, no one wants to see violence. But what we're
going to need to see in order to end this is Hamas needs to stop firing
rockets into Israel and we all need to get to a sustainable ceasefire.

Olivier.

Q Gordon, you said that Israel has made it clear that they don't want to
retake Gaza. But Deputy Prime Minister Ramon came out today and said that
the goal of the operation is to topple Hamas. Is that consistent with not
retaking Gaza? Is it consistent with U.S. objectives? And how would you
expect Hamas to accept a sustainable and durable ceasefire if the goal of
the operation is to knock them out?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, I haven't seen his comments. I'm referring to the
Israeli Foreign Minister comments from yesterday that she made on a variety
of television programs, that their goal is to deal with Hamas in a way that
will ultimately protect the Israeli people
.
Hamas has an opportunity to be a partner in the peace process. There has
been a role laid out for them for quite some time. They can recognize
Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and live up to previous
commitments made by the Palestinians. Hamas, instead, is choosing to fire
rockets into Israel. So, as I've said before, as many people have said,
Hamas has a choice to make. Right now they are choosing to be a terrorist
organization that fires rockets into Israel. That is not going to lead to a
sustainable ceasefire.

John.

Q Israel is amassing tanks and troops along that border. Is the President
urging them not to launch a ground invasion? Is he urging restraint already
now, in his diplomatic efforts?

MR. JOHNDROE: The discussions that we've had with the Israelis are ones that
everyone needs to recognize that the ultimate goal here is to get to a
ceasefire. I can't speak to any potential ground operation. I think that any
ground operation, according to the Israelis, would be part and parcel of the
overall operation, given their statements saying that they don't want to
retake Gaza, that they simply want to protect their people.

So we'll just have to see how this unfolds. Obviously, as I've said, we
don't want them -- we want civilian casualties to be avoided. But it's is
unfortunate as Hamas,
as we've seen in the past, tends to base its people and some of its rockets
in civilian areas. So we'll see.

Go ahead.

Q Is it fair to say that the U.S. would prefer not to see a ground
operation, but defends Israel's right to do that? What exactly is the U.S.
position?

MR. JOHNDROE: I'm not going to speculate on a ground operation. Let's just
take this one day at a time, all right.
Elaine.

Q What is the message to the broader Arab world out there. In the official
statement that was released by the Jordanian news agency about the phone
call that you mentioned this morning, they used the phrase, the discussion
was about stopping the "Israeli aggression" on Gaza. What is the U.S.
message with this rising Arab anger?

MR. JOHNDROE: The President's message to King Abdullah, his overall message,
is that we want to see the violence stopped, but in a way that leads to a
durable and sustainable cessation of violence. We can't have the violence
stopped now only for it to start up again in the near future. That would be
unacceptable to all parties involved, and certainly doesn't help the
Palestinians achieve their goal of a viable independent state.
So we're obviously very familiar with the Arab position. But I think
ultimately they want to see a peaceful end to this that leads to a
Palestinian state.

Q And so no comment at all about whether or not there are suggestions on the
part of the U.S. to Israel to somehow narrow the scope or - as John was
talking about the length of the attacks because of the concern of the
casualties? The U.S. basically suggested to Israel that as more and more of
these strikes happen, and civilian casualties are mounting, that the
response is appearing, at least to some, to be disproportionate. Has the
U.S. expressed that concern?

MR. JOHNDROE: I've seen various casualty figures. It's not for me to say
what they are. All I can say is that we've seen innocent Israelis die, as
well. We want civilian casualties to be avoided, period.
Mark.

Q Gordon, I don't think you answered John's question earlier. Is it accurate
to say that the U.S. thinks Israel is justified in its air strikes on Gaza
targets?

MR. JOHNDROE: The United States understands that Israel needs to take
actions to defend itself.

Q Do you expect Israel to negotiate with Hamas?

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, there is an Egyptian brokered ceasefire that was in
effect until December 19th. It was a bit of a shaky ceasefire, considering
Hamas continued to fire rockets during that period of time.

But last week, they refused to renew the ceasefire, and substantially
increased the rocket and mortar attacks into Israel. So I don't expect them
to speak right now. But I think that the rockets need to stop, and then the
violence will stop, and then there will be an opportunity to renew the
ceasefire.

Q Is there a role for President Abbas in all of this?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, he's the President of all the Palestinian people. And I
know that he wants to bring Gaza and the West Bank together. We've all said
this is a two-state solution, not a three-state solution. So we'll just see
where it goes.

Deb.

Q Can you just tell us a little bit about how you're keeping the
President-elect abreast of the situation today?

MR. JOHNDROE: I don't have a whole lot of specifics on that. I know the
President-elect receives daily intelligence briefings from the intelligence
briefers that are there with him. I know that he's spoken with Secretary
Rice to get an update on this situation, and I think some other situations
around the world. And we will continue to stay in touch with his staff as
events warrant it.

Toby.

Q Is Saudi King Abdallah the only foreign leader that President Bush has
spoken with about this?

MR. JOHNDROE: No. And to clarify in case I wasn't clear, he spoke to
Abdullah of Jordan this morning. He spoke to Abdallah of Saudi Arabia on
Saturday.
Olivier.

Q Can I just be clear about something. When you said that Israel has been
clear that they don't want to retake Gaza, was that in public
pronouncements, or did they assure the United States privately that they
weren't looking to retake Gaza?

MR. JOHNDROE: I've heard it both places; both publicly in the press, as well
as that's the message that they're passing along.
Deb.

Q Is there any indication that the timing of the attacks are linked in some
way to the Israeli elections coming up on the 10th of February?

MR. JOHNDROE: No, I believe -- if you were saying the timing of the attacks,
do you think Hamas started its substantial increase of rockets and mortar
attacks, do you think Hamas started its substantial increase of rockets and
mortar attacks because of the Israeli elections?

Q -- the Israeli response.

MR. JOHNDROE: The Israeli response is in response to the mortar and rocket
attacks on its people.

Q And do you think it has anything to do with the --

MR. JOHNDROE: It's not for me to comment on the Israeli political -- their
elections, their election season. But it appears to me that they're
responding to the hundreds of rockets that have fallen on southern Israel in
the last few days.

Elaine.

Q What are the chances that the President, himself, might comment and weigh
in on camera about this?

MR. JOHNDROE: We'll just have to see. We'll have to see.

Q Does he not think it would be helpful at this point in time for him to
actually come and make this statement? Because obviously what you've said
this morning just varies slightly from what we heard a few days ago when
this started. Does he think it would just not be helpful at this juncture
for him to --

MR. JOHNDROE: At this point, we don't have any plans for the President to
make a statement on this. We will continue to monitor the situation. I mean,
he's staying in touch with the National Security Advisor, as well as the
Secretary of State, and we'll see.

Toby.

Q Aside from the Secretary Rice phone call, is the United States taking any
other action? Are you helping Israel in this campaign in any way in terms of
military supplies or --

MR. JOHNDROE: No, the United States is not involved in this action in any
specific way. The United States has provided millions of dollars of
humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and so we are certainly
encouraging countries in the region to continue their efforts to bring
medical and food supplies to the people of Gaza.

Q Why hasn't President Bush spoken with Israeli and Palestinian officials? I
mean, I would assume that they have tried to contact him, no?

MR. JOHNDROE: I'm not aware of their contacting him. I know Secretary Rice
has spoken to the Prime Minister of Israel, as well as the President of the
Palestinian Authority.* But I'm not aware of any contacts that have been
made to President Bush on that front. If that changes I'll certainly let you
know.
Olivier.

Q When did the United States -- when did the President first know that
Israel planned these operations?

MR. JOHNDROE: That Israel planned --

Q Was planning the operations or --

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, their cabinet voted earlier -- sort of middle of last
week on this. So it was a very public indication that they were likely to
take action.

Q Is there going to be a point when the United States will come out and urge
restraint on this Israeli action, or not?

MR. JOHNDROE: Toby, I understand your question -- at this point, we
understand that they're taking efforts to defend their people in the face of
just hundreds of rockets.

Nelson.

Q You say that you're working towards helping a cease-fire being restored.
Is there anything beyond diplomatic pressure that the United States can do
at this juncture?

MR. JOHNDROE: I think that's the appropriate response at the moment from the
United States, and I think we've heard the same thing from the European
Union and others. We will talk to all the various parties involved and urge
a return to the ceasefire, but a ceasefire, as I've said, that is
sustainable and durable and is respected.

Q I want to go back to Abbas. Do you think that this situation weakens or
strengthens his position?

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, it's difficult for me to say right now about
President Abbas. I think what strengthens President Abbas's position is when
he delivers for the Palestinian people. And that is what he is trying to do,
and succeeding in some parts of the West Bank -- greater Palestinian
security forces, greater investment we've seen in security forces in Janin,
greater investment in Nabulus and other cities like that on the West Bank.
You know, the people of Gaza could have that, as well, but instead Hamas has
chosen to take a different course of action, and that's to fire rockets into
Israel.
Elaine.

Q Senator Sherrod Brown said yesterday that President Bush is in a
politically weakened state, and that what the situation calls for now is
some strong leadership come January 20th. Do you have any response at all to
that

MR. JOHNDROE: No, I haven't seen those comments, and, no, I'm not.
Yes.

Q The President, earlier this year - well, I guess last November during the
Annapolis process, had hoped that there would be a peace deal before he left
office. Obviously that's not going to happen. So what is his feeling now,
given what's occurring right now over there, about the prospects for a peace
deal in the future?

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, this is a very similar situation that the President
found when he took office in early 2001, with increased violence on the
ground. I know that his goal is that this violence come to a, as I've said,
sustainable, durable and end with a ceasefire, but a ceasefire that's
respected by Hamas, so that then all the parties could come together and
work towards the goals in the road map and the goals of the Annapolis
Conference. The Annapolis goals are ones that have been widely accepted. We
saw a good U.N. Security Council Resolution 1850 within the last couple of
weeks.

Everyone -- what I think is different from eight years ago is that everyone
recognizes that the two-state solution is the right way forward. And so I
think the President feels that he has laid good groundwork that will
ultimately lead to a two-state solution, but clearly, with the Hamas actions
in the last few days, it's not something that's going to advance in the
immediate near term.
Patty.

Q It's my understanding that no one from the U.S. is speaking with anyone
from Hamas. Well, how can you work toward a ceasefire if you're not talking
to one of the sides?

MR. JOHNDROE: That's why we talk with other leaders in the region who do
speak with Hamas and have been the interlocutors, so to speak, with Hamas.
The ceasefire was Egyptian-brokered, the one that was just -- that Hamas
failed to renew last week. And so that's how we deal with Hamas.

Q Why -- in your estimation, why did Hamas break the ceasefire?

MR. JOHNDROE: You know, it's hard for me to get into the minds of a -- get
into the mind of terrorists. I don't know why they would rather fire
hundreds of rockets and mortars into Israel rather than work for the good of
their own people. It's impossible for me to answer.

Q One more -- you said that the U.S. is behind humanitarian aid. Can you
give us any specifics of what sort of humanitarian aid you'd like to see or
will see brought into Gaza?

MR. JOHNDROE: All I have is some of the general numbers the U.S. provided
the U.N. Relief and Works Agency: $57 million in 2008 for the Palestinian
people; another $12 million to $14 million through the International
Committee of the Red Cross. I don't have any specifics about how that money
has been used for the people of Gaza as it relates to the current situation.
I know that Egypt and Jordan, as well as Israel, are working to make sure
that humanitarian medical and food supplies get to the people of Gaza.
Olivier.

Q Just coming back to something I asked before, but maybe not cleverly
enough. Was there no -- Olmert did not reach out to the President prior to
the attack? There was no warning? You've relied entirely on the public
actions of the Israeli cabinet?

MR. JOHNDROE: I'm not going to speak to all the private conversations we've
had. I'm not aware of any conversations that President Bush and Prime
Minister Olmert have had in the last couple of weeks. We have pretty regular
contact with the Israeli government, so I don't have any specifics for you
on that.

My point in my answer was that this was a very public action that they took
earlier in the week in signaling that the rocket attacks were not
acceptable.
Mark.

Q Gordon, in the U.S. view, would the Israelis be justified in seeking to
destroy Hamas, so long as it doesn't disavow future rocket attacks?

MR. JOHNDROE: I think that's a question I'm not going to go down -- a road
I'm not going to go down. I don't think anyone wants to see anyone
destroyed, although Hamas has indicated sometimes they'd like to see Israel
destroyed. But I think what people want is just peace on the ground and end
to the violence, so that people can go about and live normal lives. And this
is especially true of the people of southern Israel who end up having to
spend so much of their time in bomb shelters. It's unacceptable.

Thank you all. One more.

Q What is the President doing today?

MR. JOHNDROE: What is the President doing today? After his phone call with
Abdullah and his intelligence briefing, he went to his office to work on
paperwork and a variety of things. And I expect he'll probably ride his
bicycle today and spend time with Mrs. Bush. And we'll -- I expect he'll
also probably receive updates on the ongoing situation in the Middle East,
as well.

Q Gordon, I'm sorry -- you said, "I don't think anyone wants to see anyone
destroyed," but if Hamas is a terrorist organization, as you say --

MR. JOHNDROE: No, no, you heard the rest of that sentence, which was -- and,
Mark, you heard what I said -- that Hamas has indicated they would actually
like to see Israel destroyed. They say that from time to time.
Anyway, my point is --

Q I heard that, too, but that doesn't really go to the core of the answer. I
mean, you're right, they have said they want to see Israel destroyed
periodically. But you're saying now that --

MR. JOHNDROE: The point is I'm not going to -- it's impossible for me to
answer the question about Israeli intentions, which was what I was asked.
But I said that I believe everyone's ultimate goal is not for the
destruction of each other -- although the terrorists have indicated
sometimes that they would like to see the destruction of Israel -- their
ultimate goal is for the people to be able to live in peace. And what I also
said is right now the people of southern Israel are not able to live in
peace; they have to live in bomb shelters a lot of the time. And that's
unacceptable.

Q Will either Hadley or Rice be coming to Crawford?

MR. JOHNDROE: No.

Q No?

MR. JOHNDROE: No.
Holly.

Q I think you said earlier that Secretary Rice has been in touch with both
sides. Is she in touch with Hamas?

MR. JOHNDROE: No, when I say that I'm referring to Palestinian Authority
President Abbas - so just to clarify, as I answered to Patty's question, as
well.
Okay? Great. Thank you all very much.

END 10:20 A.M. CDT
*Secretary Rice has not spoken to the President of the Palestinian
Authority.