EU considers sanctions against Israel

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 04/07/2002

[Pokey78]

THE European Union is considering sanctions against Israel if it continues to reject calls for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territories.

"We discussed the possibility (of sanctions) at the last general council in Luxembourg," Spanish foreign minister Josep Pique said.

"It's a possible scenario but we have to discuss it among the 15 members and have a common position. Some countries are in favour of introducing sanctions very, very soon, others are more reluctant. So we have to discuss it."

Belgian foreign minister Louis Michel also said today that the EU could rethink trade ties with Israel after it barred EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Pique on Thursday from meeting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Israel continued its West Bank offensive today, pushing into new territory and vowing to speed its drive against the Palestinians, hours after US President Bush demanded an immediate withdrawal.

After the bloodiest day of fighting in the 18-month-old Palestinian uprising, Israeli troops showed no sign of letting up but met continued resistance in the northern West Bank cities of Nablus and Jenin.

Thirty tanks and armoured vehicles also entered the hilltop village of Beit Rima near Ramallah on the central West Bank, with troops going house to house searching for militants, Palestinian security sources said.

Ten Palestinian deaths were reported in the territories as the offensive entered its tenth day with Israel coming under pressure from Washington to withdraw "without delay" ahead of a peace mission by Secretary of State Colin Powell.

But Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, in a late-night phone call with President Bush, said he would not call off the operation until its objective of crushing the Palestinian militants was achieved.

"Israel will do all it can to bring a quick end to Operation Defensive Wall," a government statement quoted Mr Sharon as telling Mr Bush. "Sharon said he understands the president's concern to finish the operation quickly."

However, President Bush told Mr Sharon that his forces must withdraw from the West Bank immediately, rejecting Israel's promise to "expedite its offensive".

"Israel should halt incursions in the Palestinian-controlled areas and begin to withdraw without delay from those cities it has recently occupied," he said during a news conference with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Israeli army spokesman General Ron Kitrey said fighting continued in the Jenin refugee camp. He said the operation could end today but no orders had been given to speed it up.

Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo reported another five deaths in Jenin's refugee camp, bringing the weekend total to 35.

Israeli tanks and helicopters also pressed their attack in Nablus to the south, where many houses and some mosques were destroyed by missile-firing Apache helicopter gunships.

Three Palestinian fighters were killed today in the Old City of Nablus in a battle with Israeli troops, Palestinian medical officials said.

In Bethlehem, the Israeli siege of 200 Palestinian fighters in the Church of the Nativity went into its sixth day with no sign of movement. The Vatican denied on Saturday it had presented a plan to end the standoff.

On the southern Gaza Strip, two Palestinian men were killed today in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces close to the Jewish settlement of Morag.

At least 50 Palestinians, including five children, and five Israeli soldiers were reported killed yesterday, the highest daily toll since the launch of the Palestinian intifada in September 2000.

[a_witness]

The Nazi Europeans (the one case where the analogy really fits) will be unable to restrain themselves. They will eventually march their little armies toward the land of Israel.

[glockmeister40]

Sanctions by the EU - big deal - what are they gonna do? Stop sending them brie and red wine? Israel - take the sanctions and trade more with the US - we'll give you better quality at better prices.

[a_witness]

Yes, obviously a European Nazi

[Salman]

And what happens if the EU imposes sanctions, and one or more member states do not comply? There is no enforcement.

[Faraday]

Memo to European Socialist leaders: 1. No one cares what you think. 2. Your [nasty] little countries are quickly being taken over by immigrants who do not share your cultural values. Perhaps you should concern yourself with that.

[malarski]

Your abbreviated opinion "I'm right because...you're a Nazi" usually does not score any points on this forum. Such simplistic nonsense only alienates people towards Israel.

[Savage Beast]

We'd better start getting our attics ready. Looks like the Fourth Reich has raised its hideous head.

[a_witness]

Europe is the bona fide home of Nazism and an attempt to annihilate the House of Jacob. God has some unfinished business with Europe. The people will harden their hearts first and pursue the children of Jacob to the land in which they have finally found refuge. That is why the EU is formed and what its main objective will become before our eyes.

[Defender2]

One more terror attack on the U.S. or Our Allies(including Israel), Baghdad needs to be turned into a smoking crevice in the ground!!!! any more terrorist attacks by any terrorist entities or states should share the same fate!!!!"

[a_witness]

1. They are already alienated against Israel.
2. They are already alienated against the LORD God of Israel.
3. Europe is a lost cause.
4. They will unite and make a covenant with the Islamic states to sacrifice Israel.
5. You are simply blind if you don't see this already happening.
6. Europe is the birthplace of Nazism. People hoped it was eradicated forever but they were wrong.