US and EU at odds over Israel

[cal04]

June 29, 2006
THE United States on Wednesday gave support to Israel's military offensive in the Palestinian territories to free a kidnapped soldier, while the European Union called on both sides to pull back from the brink.

The latest crisis has caused renewed international concern over tensions in the Middle East but the United States clearly blamed the Hamas movement for the troubles.

(snip)
The European Union gave a more measured response than the United States. EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner urged Israelis and Palestinians to end hostilities.

"Both sides need to step back from the brink before this becomes a crisis that neither can control," she said in a statement.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19625342-1702,00.html

[Divernan]

1. US backs any war; it benefits the Big Weapons makers

More profits to be made, donchaknow? And diplomacy is for girlymen! Sarcasm off.

I recently spent a week in Europe studying the law of the EU, and I think the EU, if it can live up to its ideals, is the best hope this planet has for sensible economies and a peaceful planet.

[bloom]

8. Europe

My sister (wingnut) was studying international business in France and says that they cannot expect businesses to operate in their country because of the protections that the workers have. I hope that not all businesses think that way. :grr: She says her company bailed out.

[LSK]

10. meanwhile the Euro continues to blow away the dollar

[Scorpio2000]

11. Euro/Dollar

And, the Europeans are pissed about it and claim Bush has done it on purpose, and they may be right.

[Vidar]

12. I fervently hope you're right.

[applegrove]

2. I thought there was a kinda breakthrough.

[Waya]

3. Got to be with Europe on that one.......

[Rex]

4. The US will always side with Israel.

The EU just needs to understand the 'investment' of capital the US put into Israel. We've invested hundreds of nuclear missiles into Israeli defense, what other country do we support that compares to that kind of investment? I bet the average Israeli is soooo sick of being manipulated by external forces like the BFEE.

[Psephos]

6. Actually, the US has "invested" zero nuclear missles into Israeli defense

They built their own.

Peace.

[mogster]

9. With the help of Norwegian heavy water

Exported during the 50's/60's. Nuclear proliferation by a country not even posessing nuclear power or weapons itself.
No mentioning of this at wikipedia.

http://www.wisconsinproject.org/pubs/editorials/1988/heavywaterwhitewash.htm

On edit: Oh, yes it is:
'Norway sold 20 tonnes of heavy water needed for the reactor to Israel in 1959 and 1960 in a secret deal.'

My bad.

[otokogi]

5. the U.S. is the poster child for COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT

how could the neoCONs oppose it :shrug:

[Poll_Blind]

7. Please consider moving this back- this is about US policy. n/t

PB