European leader: Israel is a terrorist state
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/13/2002

The US has condemned every single suicide bombing incident -- carried by Palestinian individuals -- against Israel, but has not condemned the Israeli official aggression against Palestinians or labeled the acts as terrorist acts (using same definition), be them Israeli acts of killing and destruction against Palestinian civilians, members of the Palestinian government or otherwise. Rather, the US defends these Israeli acts against the Palestinians as "defensive" and "understandable."

In this light, the US White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer briefing reporters yesterday was asked and answered:

Q: Does the President also equally condemn the killing of hundreds of Palestinians and the destruction of the West Bank with American-made weapons?

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, again, the President has made his point clear --

Q: Equally condemn.

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, the President has made his point clear. People who strap explosives around them, civilians who go into civilian areas for the purpose --

Q: Well, aren't the Palestinians civilians?

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, I think we know you have a different opinion, but let me answer your question.

Q: I want to know, are they civilians or not?

MR. FLEISCHER: Let me answer your question. The President believes that people who strap explosives around their waist as civilians who go board buses, who go to hotels on the eve of Passover, who go where you can find civilians for the purpose of murdering civilians, are terrorists. The President --

Q: Well, what do ground ships do when they go through Jenin and Ramallah?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President has always said that Israel has a right to defend itself. Israel exercised the right to defend herself, and then the President made his call that you know about in the Rose Garden.

Meantime, IRNA reported yesterday that in an open letter to Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Socialist International and Party of European Socialists (PES) vice-president Elio di Rupo accused Israel of terrorism by "responding to Palestinian terrorist attacks on civilians with real state terrorism."

These events come as the European Union gets ready to decide on whether to cut economic relations with Israel and impose sanctions on it. It is not clear if in addition to sanctions, Europe will also call on Israel to compensate the Palestinians for the complete damage done to civilians and government institutions. The European Union is one of the greatest supporter of the Palestinian Authority and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians. The EU had most recently sent Israel an undisclosed letter in this regard. The decision of the EU will be awaited to see if it is a forceful assertion of European diplomatic power guided by economic strength, not firepower and in line with its leadership regarding the formation of the International Criminal Court, or whether the EU decision will be to issue yet another call on Israel.

As the UN Security Council continues deliberations on the current situation, the US continues to oppose applying sanctions against Israel, as a peaceful method, to compel Israel to withdraw from Palestinian areas and to observe the UN passed resolutions passed against it, and to come under the Geneva Convention.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan said yesterday "States must also take the greatest care to ensure that counter-terrorism does not, any more than sovereignty, become an all-embracing concept that is used to cloak, or justify, violations of human rights," Mr. Annan stressed, adding Justice must be both "the means and the end."

Apparently, Israel not concerned with defying the whole international community by being safeguarded by the US and its veto power at the UN Security Council from forcing Israel to come under the law, The Israeli Consul in New York Alon Bankyas said that the "US is the best friend for Israel, rather it is the only friend."

Previous Stories:
  Israeli attacks destroy antiquities   (4/11/2002)
  Israeli attacks destroy antiquities   (4/11/2002)
  Amnesty: Gravest abuses against the Palestinian population are taking place behind closed doors   (4/11/2002)
  Amnesty: Gravest abuses against the Palestinian population are taking place behind closed doors   (4/11/2002)
  International relief agencies condemn military actions in Palestinian territories   (4/11/2002)
  International relief agencies condemn military actions in Palestinian territories   (4/11/2002)
  Sharon's ignorance with EU envoys requires decisive reaction   (4/9/2002)
  Sharon's ignorance with EU envoys requires decisive reaction   (4/9/2002)
  Europe might reconsider trade relations with Israel   (4/8/2002)
  Europe might reconsider trade relations with Israel   (4/8/2002)
  Israel prevents Aznar from talking to Arafat   (4/4/2002)
  Israel prevents Aznar from talking to Arafat   (4/4/2002)
  Human rights group takes note of European Union's failure to adopt practical position on Palestinian issue   (4/2/2002)
  Human rights group takes note of European Union's failure to adopt practical position on Palestinian issue   (4/2/2002)
  European MPs Call for Suspension of Association Accord with Israel   (3/27/2002)
  European MPs Call for Suspension of Association Accord with Israel   (3/27/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search