Blair: Peace process just as important as getting rid of Saddam (Selling out the Jews alert)

Ha'aretz ^ | April 4, 2003

[Asher]

Blair: Peace process just as important as getting rid of Saddam

By Haaretz Service

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday said that progress in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians was just as important as getting rid of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

He made the comments in an interview on the BBC's Arabic service.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry source was critical of Blair's comments, Channel One reported.

During the interview, the British prime minister said that the United States has "aboslutely no plans" to go after Syria and Iran after the work is done in Iraq.

Blair said that the two dimensions to the joint U.S.-British efforts in the Middle East were to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction and to bring greater stability to the region by resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"The first is the issue of Iraq which for all the reasons I have given, the issues to do with weapons of mass destruction, at the end of the Gulf War, the way that Saddam has run his country, it is important for us to change the nature of that regime."

"The second dimension, however, is to bring greater stability to the Middle East and in that my own judgement is the single most important thing we can do is to bring some hope to the situation between Israel and Palestine."

"And I can tell you, I believe it is every bit as important that we make progress on (the Mideast peace process) as we get rid of Saddam."

Blair also said that the "road map" peace plan will be published when new Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen appoints a cabinet, which "should happen in the next few days."

He said the road map "gives a proper peace plan for the Middle East, based on two states, drawn up by the U.S., the EU, Russia, the UN. Once that is published I think that will give a certain indication to people that we are serious about this."

[mabelkitty]

I'm not surprised by this. His rhetoric has gotten out of hand this week.

He's got some big things in mind for himself, EU and UN.

[Asher]

"He's got some big things in mind for himself, EU and UN."

I heard a Jackie Mason show recently in which Mason suggested that Blair always speaks as if can't get over the fact he's only Prime Minister of Britain and not ruler of the world.

[bybybill]

At some point, responsible Israelis and Palestinians are going to discover that neither side is going to leave and it`s time to make peace.

[RolandBurnam]

never happen

[UncleSamUSA]

When Chirac and Schroeder put the pressure on him, he basically decided to go ahead with Bush on the Iraq front and then pander to the Arab world by putting pressure on Israel on the "roadmap" front.

Blair is much more concerned with pandering to the Europeans and to the Arab-Muslim world now that the Iraq situation is nearing a conclusion.

Blair pressured Bush on the Roadmap all along, and now is speaking on ARAB TV to tell them not to worry and that he and Chiraq will screw the Israelis and the Jews once again.

I dont think Blair recognizes that America is staunchly behind the Israelis and that America sees the Hamas and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad terrorists as pretty much the same types that hit us on 9-11.

America will stand firmly behind its close ally, Israel, and if Blair wants to join the Weasels of France and Germany in bashing Israel he will squander much of the support he has gotten in the US in recent months.

[Sloth]

That will happen the day that one side or the other is utterly obliterated from the face of the Earth.

[Asher]

"At some point, responsible Israelis and Palestinians are going to discover that neither side is going to leave and it`s time to make peace."

This is the kind of answer that can only be prompted by one of two things: gross stupidity or rank prejudice.

[Argus]

Our recent love fest with Mr. Blair has been nice, but I fear it's drawing to an end as he resumes pandering to the socialist bureaucrats in Brussels and at the UN.

[Asher]

"America will stand firmly behind its close ally, Israel, and if Blair wants to join the Weasels of France and Germany in bashing Israel he will squander much of the support he has gotten in the US in recent months."

Don't you believe it. A few hours on this forum would convince G-d himself that the Jews cannot trust anyone. Selling out the Jews is a very old gentile custom. No gentile is immune.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

At some point, responsible Israelis and Palestinians are going to discover that neither side is going to leave and it`s time to make peace.

I buy the responsible Israeli part as long as the party is Jew or Christian. As for a responsible Palestinian, if one was ever found and dared to voice a well-reasoned opinion I think recent events would predict a short life span. Such a one would likely be branded a Jewish collaborator and be given an impromptu necktie party by their neighbors.

[joesnuffy]

Guess we are about to get the Brits bill for their support

[Paleo Conservative]

Peace resulting from a "peace process" has as much resemblance to peace as "processed cheese" has to cheese.

[montag813]

Why are the Brits so in love with Arafart? Every time someone mentions "justice for the Palestinians" in Parliament, they practically get a standing O. Have they gone bonkers? Or do they just really hate Jews?

[bybybill]

YOU ALL SHOULD READ WHAT YOU WROTE AND THEN ASK WHY ISN`T THERE PEACE NOW? wHAT DID POGO SAY, " WE HAVE MEET THE ENEMY AND IT IS US

[ConservativeConvert]

Ummm...can someone please remind me why we are supporting the creation of a state for those who cheered 911, hold rallies in support of Saddam and have created a cult of death with an insatiable bloodlust? Am I missing something here 'cause I just don't get it.

[Sloth]

You made a completely unsupported prediction that flies in the face of centuries of real life experience. Why don't you read what *you* wrote?

[bybybill]

This whole arguement baffles my mind, why would the adults on both sides not want to work towards real peace? Do any of them like living in an armed camp, not knowing if your family will come home safely each nite? Blair and Bush are going to make them come to the table and end this "war" once and for all. Just watch and see

[may18]

You really think we hate jews??.
Its ironic that muslims hate us because we are "too pro israel" as well.

With regards to the comments made here i feel..dissapointment. Facing down objections in his own party, sending our youngest and brightest off to fight besides you, including MY family. And suddenly because of this speech we are weasels?.I cant express how hurtfull i find that
Plus he is walking a tightrope in his party, he needs to speak reassuring words to extreme members of his party. But i believe you should judge people by their actions not their words. I dont understand the israeli situation and would be happy to hear clarification of what is being proposed.And what should be done.


As to why he gives a monkeys about europe, i dont know to be honest

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Why are the Brits so in love with Arafart? Every time someone mentions "justice for the Palestinians" in Parliament, they practically get a standing O. Have they gone bonkers? Or do they just really hate Jews?

Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is becoming almost as big a sport in Europe as soccer.

Woe be to the U.S. if we ever abandon Israel.