EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman ended his first EU visit on Monday (15 June) evening without securing a previously planned "upgrade" in EU-Israel relations. EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg earlier in the day had said that an offer by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to create a demilitarised Palestinian state was welcome but insufficient to warrant any significant advance in bilateral relations. Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the year saw the EU put the planned upgrade on ice (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi) Print Comment article The phrase repeatedly used by EU officials - echoing similar language from Washington - was that Mr Netanyahu's offer, made during a speech on Sunday night, was a "good step," but only a step.
EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg earlier in the day had said that an offer by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to create a demilitarised Palestinian state was welcome but insufficient to warrant any significant advance in bilateral relations.
Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the year saw the EU put the planned upgrade on ice (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi) Print Comment article The phrase repeatedly used by EU officials - echoing similar language from Washington - was that Mr Netanyahu's offer, made during a speech on Sunday night, was a "good step," but only a step.
Israel's behaviour renders all US attempts to change the relationships in the Middle East futile. Yet the US needs these relationships changed for overpowering domestic reasons, reasons that should absolutely command all aspects of foreign policy: ALL aspects. Yet the US cannot bring itself to rein in this turbulent ally. keep to the Fen Causeway
Further, I think that we would find that congress people who are of Jewish persuasion, even those who are on the far left of the American dial, have failed to stand up on this issue [turns out that there is already an acronym for it - PEP Rep; Progressive Except on Palestine]...and who knows where they stand on it, or if they could survive if they did stand up for a sane Israeli policy.
It is the perfect issue for pretend liberals though (like Dianne Feinstein and Adam Schiff), who can use it as a "we democrats are tough on defense" issue and a jobs issue - "We must help them defend against Hamas' rockets; send them more F-18s."
From 30 minutes of internet research for this post this morning, I submit that there is no hope for someone in the American Congress standing up on this issue. And without a terrific debate on the issue, I don't know if your statement Helen of "but the democrats are surely well enough informed to recognise the contradictions involved" is true. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
