According to the Jewish Virtual Library, which documents and records President Bush's speech from June 24, 2002, the Road Map to Peace is a reciprocal program targeted to the end of terrorism and violence under the guidance of the Quartet, who are known as the United States, United Nations, European Union, and Russia. The Road Map consists of three phases to aid the Palestinians in becoming an independent, democratic state that does not support acts of terrorism.

Phase I - Present till May 2003: Phase I immediately calls for all cessation of acts of terror. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary terrorism is defined as the "systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion". A further definition of terror is "1. an intense state of fear 2. a) one that inspires fear b) a frightening aspect c) cause of anxiety d) an appalling person or thing 3. violent or destructive acts committed by groups in order to intimidate a population or government into granting their demands". Therefore, Phase I calls for immediate stop to not just violent acts such as bombings, but any terrorizing of people through verbal or threatening situations. In contrast, Israel agrees to pull out of any settlements that have been built since September 28, 2000, and freeze any settlement activity according to the Mitchell Report. In addition, each political party is to issue an official document stating that they will agree to these points.

Under the Security agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis, Palestinians are to immediately stop terror and seek out all those who persist in terrorist acts and punish them according to the law. They are to find and dismantle all infrastructures of terrorist and confiscate all illegal weapons. In response, Israel is not to undermine trust through deportation of civilians, attacks on civilians, confiscate and/or demolish any Palestinian home or property, facilitate Israeli building in settlements, and destroy Palestinian infrastructure.

Phase II June 2003-December 2003: Phase II focuses on creating an official Palestinian state with borders and authority based off a new constitution. This goal can only be achieved through the Palestinian people acknowledging democracy and liberty for all and refusing to participate in acts of terror. Phase II begins after Palestinian elections are held for government officials.

Phase III 2004-2005: Phase III is the consolidation and stabilization of the Palestinian state based off the judgement and approval of the Quartet. In this phase agreements are finalized on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements; and, to have a comprehensive peace settelement between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.

According to the Associated Press, on Thursday President Obama gingerly pressed Israel to stop settlement construction. A pressure Israel immediately rejected. Not only were the Israelis pressured to stop construction but the Palestinians were pushed to also meet their "obligations" under the Road Map to Peace.

However, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, declares that he is meeting his obligation according to the Road Map and that Israel should do the same. He says there will be no meeting between Palestine and Israel until Israel meets their "obligations" accordingly. Saeb Erekat, a negotiator for Palestine, says Israel's duty is to freeze all settlement expansions, including natural growth: the expansion of settlements prior to September 2000, to accommodate the increasing population in these territories.

While President Abbas feels he may be meeting his requirements according to the Road Map to Peace, a closer inspection will reveal that he and the Palestinian people are not meeting their responsibilities individually and as a nation. The Road Map clearly stats that all terrorist activities were to be ceased and all terrorist infrastructure was to be found and destroyed by the Palestinian nation. They are to diligently seek out and punish those who do plan, organize, and perform terrorist activities. In spite of this, since July 2002, there have been over 216 terrorist attacks. In 2007 and 2008 out of 31 terrorist attacks in Israel, Hamas claimed 21 of those attacks.

Hamas and Palestine are inseparable. Hamas is a known terrorist organization whose followers were once a part of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization). The goal of the PLO is to liberate Palestine from Israel through acts of violence and terrorism. The Palestinian people voted Hamas into power during their elections. If the Palestinian people did not support terrorism then they would not have voted for Hamas, who is a known terrorist organization such as al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Fatah . For the members of Palestine who do not support terrorism, they could and still can rise at anytime and say "enough is enough". Those who quietly stand, watch, and do nothing are just as guilty as those who commit.

By all definition, Palestine and Palestinians are failing in their obligations to the Road Map to Peace. Yes, Israel has an obligation to fulfill with the issue of settlements, but Palestine has a far greater issue to resolve on acts of terrorism. With the death of 1,176 Israeli's since September 2001, there is still a huge problem among the two nations.

Israel cannot be expected to hand trust over to the Palestinian nation to put an end to terrorism; therefore, they must protect themselves against the violence inflicted upon them. Trust cannot be given to a known adversary. Who would trust a snake not to bite them in the heel? Trust is gained, and it is gained through more five years of a "peace plan". The basic laws of human rights demands that Israel has a right to defend themselves when the need arises. By the same standard Palestine should and can be able to defend themselves if they were to be met with violent against against their basic human rights. However, Israel is not attacking Palestinians or using terrorism in any form; therefore, there should not be a continuation of mortar rockets from Gaza.

Unlike Palestine, there is no support from Israel for the death of an innocent life be it Israeli or Palistinian. When a cowardly nation hides behind their women and children to continue to act in terrorism, then measures should be taken by nations to prevent these acts. If Palestinians truly wanted liberation and toleration they would put aside their violence.

Although with the recent cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, Hamas showed the world that true peace between the two nations may not be possible. On June 17, 2008, after talks between Hamas, Egypt, and Israel, Hamas agreed to a cease-fire. Nearly immediately after the cease-fire had been declared , Hamas fired rockets over the walls of Gaza into southern Israel. During the time of the cease-fire, over 329 rockets were shot into Israel. Israel made no move to stop the attacks with military force. Violence did not escalate until November, when Israel discovered Hamashad been digging a tunnel under the wall. The purpose of this tunnel was to smuggle in newer and better weapons from Egypt and syria, to abduct more Israeli soldiers, and to send out terrorists to commit suicide bombings. In this encounter seven Hamas terrorists were killed.

Hamas then refused to negotiate a new cease-fire with Israel. Till now Hamas has sent more than 6,000 rockets into southern Israel. With newly acquired rockets smuggled from Iran, nearly a million Israeli lives are in danger. Statistically,1 in every 8 Israelis are in mortal danger.

Once one of these rockets are launched, Israelis have exactly 15 seconds to reach a bunker before the rocket is detonated. The following excerpt comes from the Jewish Virtual Library website:

_{"Hamas has turned all of southern Israel into a place that more resembles a post-apocalyptic world, rather than a modern, civilized society. Imagine never being able to step outside without remaining in sprinting distance of a concrete bunker. Imagine having to dive into the safety of a bunker 30 times a day, everyday. Try to imagine the terror of the rocket whistling down, not knowing whether it will land a mile a way, or directly above your head. Can you imagine the sudden shock when you feel the impact, the relief that overcomes you that you are still alive and the immediate sorrow and concern that follows when you realize that others like – your family and friends – may not have been so lucky this time?"}

When Israel finally waged war, critics cried that Israel has reacted with disproportion force. Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, every nation can defend themselves against armed attacks. In this case, against Hamas and the Palestinian people who have put Hamas into power. One cannot measure proportionality in war with the lives of civilians. According to the laws of war, a country can measure their military reaction compared to the risk posed. For example, on December 30, 2008, Hamasfired a rocket that hit an Israeli kindergarten school. No one was in the school at the time, but, according to international law, Israel is not allowed to let Hamas to play "Russian Roulette" with the lives of Israeli children at stake. Under the Powell Doctrine, Israel is only using a portion of their right to defend themselves as a nation.

If there should be a law of proportionality, then Israel should treat Hamas and the terrorist in the same manner as they are treated. Israel should shoot rockets into Palestinian cities, plant bombs on Palestinian buses, gun down Palestinian military, and threaten the lives of women and children. The flak Israel has received for taking the high road and defending themselves in the appropriate manner is unwarranted.

The United States itself saw first hand terrorism on our soil after 9/11. The nation as a whole wanted justice for that act of terrorism they experienced. After one attack we waged a war, while Israel has faced many attacks and the countries who claim to be her allies sit by and tell her to wait it out and to keep appeasing Palestine. Appeasment did not work with Hitler in WWII, and it will not work now. The only thing terrorist understand is violence, and when there is violence and war there are civilian casualities.

More civilian lives would be saved if Israel put a halt to terrorism, now. If Palestine truly cared about its civilians, then it would follow the laws and agreements of the Road Map. Only in Palestine will you find rallies after a terrorist act that takes the lives of innocent Israeli victims. No such thing would be found in Israel after the death of an innocent Israeli or Palestinian.

According to Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Hamas was provocating Israel with its barrage of rockets into Southern Israel. He added, "At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be denounced as such.”

President Obama has failed the American and Jewish nation when not taking a firmer stand with Palestinian President. He should have told Abbas his foremost duty was to find and stop terrorist activites before Isreal begins to remove settlements.

Therefore, Mr. President, stop riding the fence and trying to be the good guy. You can't please all the people all the time. Consequently, stop pleasing the people and do what is right by your country and other countries. Take an open stance against terrorism; it will not be supported by any person regardless of nationality, race, and religion.

 The following news excerpts are from the year 2008 in the city of Jerusalem.  Please note, these images may be graphic to some people.  Use caution when watching.

Merkaz Harav:  A Yeshiva (or a place for young boys to study the Torah) in the Center of Jerusalem was attacked by an Arab-Israeli man.  The attacker was a driver at the Yeshiva.  He was engaged to be married and came from a family that was not wealthy but comfortable.  The reason why he attacked the Yeshiva is unknown.

 Bulldozer attack:  A Palestinian man living in East Jerusalem went on a rampage killing 3 people and wounding others.  His weapon was a bulldozer he was using for construction work.  His motive and reason why he went on rampage is unclear.

These types of events are what Israeli's have to face almost daily.  No one should live in terror this way.