Israel, EU Fail To Resolve Row Over West Bank Barrier

[Classical_Liberal]

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said he doubted if Israel could trust Europe any longer as a negotiating partner. But EU envoy Javier Solana spoke of balancing Israel's security needs with the humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

The EU voted as a bloc last Tuesday in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution calling for the removal of the barrier, following a ruling by the International Court of Justice that it was illegal.

Israel has reacted strongly to the vote. It says the proposed 640km system of fences and walls is necessary for security.

"I find myself challenged to convince the Israeli people that the European Union is a partner we can trust," Shalom said at the joint news conference. Solana said the EU had made clear long ago its opposition to the barrier because it cuts through occupied Palestinian land.

"A country has the right to build a fence on its own territory but we believe the route of this fence is contrary to international law," ...........

http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=072204093412

[IA_Seth]

1. It's a sad reflection

Aren't negotiaters SUPPOSED to negotiate for both sides? Israel has been all about the EU being involved until the EU votes against a decision they have made.

In my view, the US (as of late) and Israel are like two stubborn teenage bullies when it comes to world negotiations. As world history goes we are upstart nations, and refuse to listen to anyone when it goes against what we want to hear.

[geek tragedy]

2. All nations are like that.

France is quite unilateralist when it suits them. China's been around a long time, but don't try to tell them anything either.

And I missed Vladmimir Putin's call for international conferences to deal with Chechnya.

[IA_Seth]

3. Yep

You are right. Israel has about as much moral ground as France, Russia, and China when it comes to their policies.

Glad you agree. I for one wouldn't use that as a defense. I surely didn't say Israel was the ONLY country who is in the wrong, you added quite nicely to the list.

The current Israeli administration deserves about as much support as we throw them.

[geek tragedy]

4. Being a pain in the ass is a part of diplomacy.

The Israelis raise it to the level of art.

They can't even build a goddamn wall without major international drama.

Israel is just like other countries--they should neither be demonized nor praised/aplogized for when they act like everyone else.

[Classical_Liberal]

6. When Israel doesn't take American Tax dollars for settlements which

piss off Arabs which produces terrorists to attack my country, I'll stop criticizing them.

Israel could have easily built the wall on the border. It didn't.

[bemildred]

5. Bluster.

Israel has no effective leverage on the EU, which is it's
largest trading partner. The EU is not going to give a rip
whether Israel trusts it or not.

[undergroundrailroad]

7. Locking - Not a recent article.

Original dated 7/23/2004.


Undergroundrailroad
DU Moderator
IP/911/NS Affairs