Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bush says Israel has right to defend itself but urges restraint
Haaretz ^ | 7/13/2006 | News Agencies

Posted on 07/13/2006 6:04:47 AM PDT by Sabramerican

Bush says Israel has right to defend itself but urges restraint

By Haaretz Service and News Agencies

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday that Israel had a right to defend itself against terrorist acts but it should not weaken the Beirut government.

"Israel has the right to defend herself," Bush told a news conference after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"Secondly, whatever Israel does should not weaken the...government in Lebanon."

Advertisement

The president's comment came in response to the escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon, on Thursday after IAF warplanes carried out strikes in Lebanon in retalliation to Hezbollah's abduction of two soldiers a day earlier.

On Thursday, a U.S. administration official gave a response on condition of anonymity regarding the crisis.

"We are urging restraint on both sides, recognizing Israel's right to defend itself," the Uofficial said.

The European Union on Thursday called on all sides to halt the renewed violence in the Middle East and take care to avoid more civilian casualties.

"I've always felt that Israel has a right to ensure its security but I've also said that disproportionate attacks are not useful," EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel told reporters.

"I regret the fact that the reaction was disproportionate."

EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said EU foreign ministers could discuss on Monday whether the IDF attacks on Lebanon were compatible with the bloc's trade and cooperation agreement with Israel, which is conditional on respect for international law.

She stressed, however, that the EU recognized "Israel's right to defend itself." Israel's military action came after a cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerillas in which two Israeli soldiers were captured and several others were killed.

(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Israel; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2006israelwar; bush; israel; restraint; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-117 last
To: Sabramerican

Israel should kill those who are trying to kill Israel before their enemies get a chance to be successful, the POTUS notwithstanding.

Restraint, when you have Israel's miniscule, indefensible borders is suicide.

They should fly upon their enemies and annihilate them, to include the reactors of Iran.


101 posted on 07/13/2006 8:23:41 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It. Supporting our Troops Means Praying for them to Win!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Meanwhile, in the real world, Israel receives from the US all the weaponry and actual support she needs to fight her just battle.

It constantly amazes me that some in this forum can lose sight of the bigger picture so quickly over a few meaningless words said in a press conference.

Where I come from action speaks much louder than words and our President's actions, when it comes to fighting terrorism, cannot, and should not, be questioned by those of us sitting comfortably on the sidelines cloaked in ignorance of what is REALLY happening behind the scenes.


102 posted on 07/13/2006 8:29:14 AM PDT by HelloooClareece ("We make war that we may live in peace". Aristotle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

Comment #103 Removed by Moderator

To: ichabod1

We had to destroy the Nazi regime and later radically reorganize the Japanese system.

The governments of Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Egypt and Jordan are something less than represntative. Whatever they are they certainly aren't systems of government based upon individual freedom.


104 posted on 07/13/2006 9:12:57 AM PDT by Hawk1976 (Borders. Language. Culture. AAA-0. Free Travis Mcgee.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Convert from ECUSA

"I wonder if terrorists were firing rockets into Texas and Arizona from Mexico whether the USA would "exercise restraint" - I think not, unless the DIMS were in charge."

~~~
We'd have to rely on the Minutemen. /sarcasm ON


105 posted on 07/13/2006 9:14:19 AM PDT by Gimme
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Darkwolf377

I am fairly certain that many people do not realize that the President has got to say these kinds of mealy-motuhed diplomatic things with his "public face" but that his "private face", on the phone to Olmert, is likely saying something completely different, like, "You do whatever you feel that you need to do; we're behind you."

I hate it, too, but I at least understand it.


106 posted on 07/13/2006 9:17:59 AM PDT by HKMk23 (Neo too)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Gimme

Shoot, we rely on the Minutemen already!


107 posted on 07/13/2006 9:23:57 AM PDT by Convert from ECUSA (The Arab League jihad continues on like a fart in an elevator - FR American in Israel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: Sabramerican
.....but urges restraint

Alright, Israel won't break out the neutron bombs just yet.

108 posted on 07/13/2006 9:32:14 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sabramerican

restraint = no nukes just yet


109 posted on 07/13/2006 9:53:36 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Afghan protest - "Death to Dog Washers!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gimme
"I wonder if terrorists were firing rockets into Texas and Arizona from Mexico whether the USA would "exercise restraint" - I think not, unless the DIMS were in charge."

I'm beginning to doubt whether Bush would put up a fight if Mexico went foward with an all-out invasion. Now he is essentially paying lip service to direct provocations from North Korea and Iran and urging Israel to do the same.

Israel need to take Damascus now and put an end to it.

110 posted on 07/13/2006 10:54:50 AM PDT by Texas Federalist (True statesmen ... are not defined by what they compromise, but what they don’t.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: reagan_fanatic

But the problem is you can't 'clean it out'. There will always be terrorists, people who give their lives to create destruction. It's not like one day there will be no terrorists anymore because they are all dead.


111 posted on 07/13/2006 10:56:38 AM PDT by I Like Lincoln
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: HarleyLady27

I beg to differ. Keep your nose in it Mr. President. Be ready to help Israel with ammunition and new weapons when they start to run low. You might be called on to provide around the clock, 24/7, airlift support. Just like we did in the Yom Kipper war.


112 posted on 07/13/2006 11:09:52 AM PDT by daviscupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: b4its2late

Kill more terrorists, faster. Israel should forget about "restraint" and focus on victory.


113 posted on 07/13/2006 11:15:23 AM PDT by pleikumud
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: daviscupper

IF you would read more closely...what I was saying is this:

"President Bush has no business telling Israel to keep restraint....Israel has been fighting wars longer than he is old"....now what part of that comment did you NOT understand????

As far as being ready to back up Israel, thats stupid of you to even consider....OF COURSE AMERICA will back Israel up....

What school did you go to....just wondering....


114 posted on 07/13/2006 11:25:00 AM PDT by HarleyLady27 (My ? to libs: "Do they ever shut up on your planet?" "Grow your own DOPE: Plant a LIB!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 112 | View Replies]

To: Texas Federalist

"Israel need to take Damascus now and put an end to it."

It doesn't end at Damascus though...


115 posted on 07/13/2006 12:11:17 PM PDT by Gimme
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 110 | View Replies]

To: A_perfect_lady

They need nukey, as the muzzies do not have good sects!


116 posted on 07/13/2006 9:13:38 PM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Sabramerican
Well them Israeli bombs might upset his buddies TRADE plans dontcha know. Dear Mr. President. Please shut up and let Israel handle this in their own way. In the long run that is in our best interest to stop terrorist attacks. That has been a goal of yours or so you say. Right? If you can't stand behind Israel 100% on this then please keep yourself and you're globalist state department clowns out of it. Thank you very much.
117 posted on 07/14/2006 10:12:42 AM PDT by cva66snipe (If it was wrong for Clinton why do some support it for Bush? Party over nation destroys the nation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-117 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson