Israel Continues Ground Offensive in Gaza as Death Toll Mounts (Deutsche Welle, corrects Czech FM)

[FarCenter]

Deutsche Welle, Sunday 4-1-2009 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3920441,00.html

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Israel: World 'understands'

On Sunday, an Israeli government spokesperson said that the international community understands Israel's reasons for launching the offensive.

"There is on an international level much understanding of the fact that we are exercising our legitimate right to self-defense against attacks perpetrated from the territory of Gaza by Hamas terrorists," said Avi Pazner in an interview with French radio Europe 1.

He pointed out that the EU's Czech presidency had described Israel's ground operation as "more defensive than offensive," although France, which has just relinquished the EU presidency, had condemned the ground action.

But on Sunday, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said that spokesman Jiri Frantisek Potuznik, who made the comment, had blundered.

"It was his personal mistake," he told Czech television. "Unfortunately it was a very serious mistake."

The Czech foreign ministry has called "for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, and … for the establishment of a cease-fire."

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[LynnTheDem]

1. Really???

World leaders condemn escalation of violence in Gaza
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/29/content_10575955_1.htm

...most of the rest of the world -- Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East, the U.N. leadership -- opposes and condemns the (Israeli) attack...
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/02-10

EU condemns Israeli Gaza incursions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jul/07/israel2

UN condemns Israeli airstrikes
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/world/un-condemns-israels-gaza-airstrikes/2008/12/29/1230399082613.html

Americans Closely Divided Over Israel’s Gaza Attacks
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/americans_closely_divided_over_israel_s_gaza_attacks

[ixion]

2. No, Mr. Pazner, there is not

you are sorely mistaken, and I hope you face justice in the Hague for your war crimes.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. EU's Czech presidency is an idiot and the job is ceremonial

He's also a global climate change denier and an admirer of Margaret Thatcher.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=181644&mesg_id=181644

[Idealism]

4. Reminds me how the US gov't said "the world was behind us" in Iraq

Even though many of our allies refused to send troops and most of the world criticized us.