They are indeed playing a shrewd game: Israel has taken a big prestige and pride setback, with the US as a captive gagged passenger on an ill-fated mission. What better time to announce a potential rapprochement with the EU? Yes, it is clearly intended as divisive, but also to demonstrate that the 'stick' has no influence on them, and can we have some carrots please.

The US has no Mid-East policy. They are just making it up as they go along while singing from a fascist songbook. The EU should have realised this by now. We need some sensible diplomacy fast. The UN is still the only way forward, with the EU guiding discussions. If that means that the US is increasingly exposed by its vetoes to come as petulant rich bully then so be it.

It will hasten an end to morally corrupt government in the US and hopefully bring a bit of reality into US media.

You can't be me, I'm taken