Israeli Right-Wingers Flood Bush with Anti-Peace Messages

Defying draconian security measures, Jewish right-wing activists have found one way of trying to grab the attention of visiting US President George W. Bush -- by flooding his hotel with faxes.

Hundreds of letters protesting against the US-sponsored peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are swamping the reception desk of Jerusalem's ritzy King David hotel where Bush is staying during his three-day visit to the region.

"I can confirm that the King David hotel reception desk has been flooded by faxes from right-wing activists," a hotel spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Bush is in the region in a bid to boost the Middle East peace talks that were relaunched after a seven-year hiatus at an international conference in Annapolis near Washington last November.

Israeli right-wingers oppose the peace process that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967 and where hundreds of thousands of Jews today live illegally in settlements.

Using an intricate network of emails and text messages, different right-wing groups have been spreading the word -- and the hotel fax number -- both inside Israel and all over the world.

"Please fax him your protest about Annapolis, the Palestinian state notion, division of Jerusalem, Pollard, etc…" read the message. Jonathan Pollard is an American Jew who was sentenced to life in prison for spying on Israel.

"Best to act NOW -- Your fax must arrive as soon as possible… You can fax at any time of the day or night," the message said.

Clear instructions were attached: "Write 'For US President George Bush' on top so the clerks will put it right into the box for his entourage.

"We hope that with your help that box will be OVERFLOWING. Remember that each family member can write their own fax."