Israel escalating dangerous situation, warns Straw
UK Former foreign secretary Jack Straw Friday broke ranks with his cabinet colleagues to issue the strongest warning yet from a British government minister against Israel's continuing bombardments of Lebanon and Gaza.
"One of many serious concerns I have is that the continuation of such tactics by the Israelis could further destabilize the already fragile Lebanese nation," said Straw, who was demoted to be leader of the House of Commons in May.
Like Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells, he described Israel's attacks as "disproportionate" but became the first member of Prime Minister Tony Blair's cabinet to warn that Israel was killing "ten times as many" Lebanese civilians.
In a statement issued after meeting community leaders in his Blackburn constituency in northern England, which has a 20 per cent Muslim population, Straw also made clear that the Israeli attacks risked destroying the Lebanese government.
"Disproportionate action only escalates an already dangerous situation. One of many serious concerns I have is that the continuation of such tactics by the Israelis could further destabilize the already fragile Lebanese nation," he warned.
His criticism came as Blair was traveling to Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush amid a renewed campaign in the UK calling on the premier to stand up against Israel's crimes and use his influence to press for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.
