EU warming up to new Palestine government

[katinmn]

http://euobserver.com/9/22427

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU foreign ministers have given "unanimous" support to Palestinian leaders' move to form a government of national unity, with the Finnish presidency suggesting the bloc could soon resume ties with the Palestinian authorities.

Finland's foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja told journalists after the meeting on Friday (15 September) that the latest attempts by Hamas - a group which is on the EU's list of terrorist organisations - and the Fatah movement of the moderate president Mahmoud Abbas to join forces showed "the most important glimpse of hope" in the region.

He said Mr Abbas had assured the EU that the new coalition will respect commitments by previous Palestinian administrations and its agreements with the international community, adding that this "allows us to re-engage directly with the Palestinian administration."

"In general, we're dealing with governments. And we want a Palestinian government to deal with," noted Mr Tuomioja.

[msmcghee]

1. It's nice that the Palestinians have decided . .

. . to take the face of Hamas off it's official stationary and bring in someone a little more palatable to the west. Seems like the minimum move necessary to allow them to get back into the "victim" role in the eyes of the world. That was obviously wearing a bit thin when they elected people to govern them who would not even renounce their pledge to destroy the state of Israel - and immediately set about to do that upon coming into office along with their internecine killings - instead of tending to the needs of Gazans.

I think they thought their cries of "starvation" would overcome all that - but I guess the world is not quite that dumb. In that thread yesterday where the Gaza businessmen were asking militant groups to not attack Israelis "near the crossings" - I notice they were complaining about their business activity declining - not about their families or other Gazans starving to death.

We'll see how much the management has actually changed however when the Kassams stop flying - or not.

[breakaleg]

2. Palestinians are the victim in all of this. This "poor me" crap from

Israel is what's getting old.

While you criticize Palestinians with the old destroy Israel crap, you don't acknowledge that Israel's cries for peace are equally suspect. They want peace, but not brokered by the UN, after all, they might actually be fair to both sides. No, they want "peace" as they call it, on their terms, which really is not peace at all.

When Israel is in a position where their actions are beyond reproach - as the military backed stongest force in the region - then perhaps you can criticize the victims in this case.

[msmcghee]

3. A nation that calls for peace . .

. . on whatever terms - is better than a bunch who only calls for war and who recognize no terms.

If Hamas laid down their weapons today there would be peace - if Israel laid down their weapons today there would soon be no Israel.

As usual, you words in support of people who attack others with violence and who are pledged to their destruction - only shows that your interest in peace is quite as hollow as the majority of the residents of Gaza.

[breakaleg]

4. if Hamas laid down their weapons today, Isreal would still

occupy the West Bank and Gaza. What you fail to acknowledge is the underlying issue of occupation is the cause for all of this. There will be no peace until Israel pulls out entirely.

It's like Israel saying - I know we stole their land but they are shooting at us until we give it back! And I would say - Give it back to them.

It's not complicated. But as Israel continues with settlement expansion, it's also not on their agenda.

[msmcghee]

5. Your logic sounds simple.

"It's like Israel saying - I know we stole their land but they are shooting at us until we give it back! And I would say - Give it back to them."

Unfortunately, your narrative completely ignores reality.

It's actually like Israel is saying, "Having you in this land so close to us left us vulnerable but we let you stay there as we wanted peace. But you attacked us from this territory and tried to destroy us. We now hold control of that land for our own safety but we'd like to give it back. Infortunately, you keep attacking us from that land and you are more fervent than ever in your pledges to destroy us. That convinces us that we would be committing suicide to allow you complete control of that land. So, you'll have to be satisfied with some arrangement whereby we can maintain our safety - at least until you change your mind (and your actions) about wanting to destroy us."

Reality is always a lot messier than some would wish. But, enjoy your fairy tales.

[breakaleg]

7. "we LET you stay"??? are you kidding me?!

That right there, is the problem with the entire pro-Israel side of this debate. I didn't read any further.


It sure is nice of Israel to LET Palestinians keep a teeny tiny portion of the land they own, contrary to international law.

US support for Israel will not last forever. And at that point they will have to actually lie in that bed they made.

[katinmn]

6. A few bad leaders doesn't justify mass punishment.

If that were true, Americans would be starving now, so would Israelis.

Every major newspaper including the NYT is reporting mass starvation is taking place. How long can you play the denial card?

Peace from Palestine


Peace from the Twin Cities