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."
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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 ...
Gives the bad guys hope that if they fight hard and Israel responds, sooner or later- as always- American pressure will force Israel to halt.
Israel's Best Friend Ever?
WOT, my a**.
If anyone doesn't know, Hizballah is in the Beirut government.
Remember this?
We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.
It was BS.
Time and again it seems to me that restraint in war only prolongs it. The Arab world needs a Hiroshima.
Israel has been forced to contend with terrorist acts for many years, and I've always marveled at her restraint.
Perhaps now, Israel is presenting a template for the rest of the world -- that the only solution is to attack and destroy terrorist regimes. We witnessed that their peace initiatives failed. I repeat: What do you do with someone who is willing to DIE to kill you? You MUST kill them.
President Bush has said he supports Israel's right to protect herself.
Question to other nations: Why wait until the terrorists (Islamic Faccists) achieve MORE murder and meyhem in their countries?
I appreciate Israel's boldness. I pray that the world follows suit.
This is WWIII. War on Terrorism. We should start it now and end it as soon as possible. It is inevitable.
War always takes sacrifice, but the alternative is unthinkable.
It's the middle of the night, somebody is in your house who doesn't belong, and you defend yourself "proportionately"?
What inane silliness the diplomats, the press, and the Democrats come up with. They cannot ever again be entrusted with the defense of America.
You kill a snake in his hole. Idiots.
"1/2 off arms sale going on through the end of July, get 'em while their hot, operators are standing by."
Enough is enough.
You are not the first to suggest such a thing. There wasn't much of an "insurgency" in post-war Japan was there?
"1/2 off arms sale"
Or be like them...'we'll pay you double for 2 arms, triple for their head'
In case you haven't noticed, we depend greatly on Pakistan, Iraqi muslims, Afghani allies and others to prosecute the war on terror. The President is fully aware Israel will do what it has to do. Why should the President of the USA inflame those on whom we rely, in addition?
Restraint is good for only one thing and that's for the one restraining to get killed. Treat them like the animals they are and maybe they can be trained somewhat but they'll never be human.
All he's saying is to wipe out Hizbollah and leave the rest of Lebonon alone.
Exactly.
No, the only one slinging BS around here is you.
Bush made an appropriate, political statement as all leaders do, and must.
It's so easy for armchair generals like you to call BS on this, and WOT my a** on that, when it's quite clear that the WOT has been and continues to be a success--unless you have a suicide bombing in your neighborhood to report. Those who toss the hot rhetioric--which is all you've done in two posts--sit comfortably while our President and the soldiers under him are the targets of backstabbing Dems, and unfair media, and real violence.
Bush has delivered, not always perfectly (who has?), and you can sit there and bitch and whine, but I don't see YOU having the #1 most important job on the planet Earth--you're sitting behind a keyboard bitching. All Bush is doign is trying to keep the freakin planet from tumbling into chaos. Now granted, that's not nearly as difficult as typing "BS", but when you "send a message in November, the Dems will show us how it's REALLY done. Too bad, though, that your dream President (whoever that might be) can only exist in your head.
This statement doesn't thrill me coming from the President, but he and Israel both know that, like your silly bluster, it is mere rhetoric. Now you go do something that's as important as what he's doing--like coming up with so-witty taglines--while he makes sure your ungrateful, bitching butt doesn't get blown off.
Man, am I sick of the disloyal whineasses around here.
I understand what the president has said today. What else can he say? We will be right there to cream these guys and start WW4, the man has to call for peace. If he did not the country would be screaming all over the place, expecially the liberal kiss the arabs butt loving press. The Jewish nation has been very patient with the UN and the world . They have withstood bombings and killings beyond anything we know over here. Just because they want to be a democracy and a free land, they have suffered more then we know( as I have stated).But to make the statement the president made and idiouic statement, no way . Don't worry Iran is getting what it wants over there an all out war with Israel. This may be it for Israel , if it is don't worry the best president I have seen in a long time will be there to help Israel.
ML/NJ urges viciousness.
You mean like wipe out Saddam but leave Iraq alone? Or wipe out Al Quida but leave Afghanistan alone.
One. How does one do that?
Two. Hizballah is in the Lebanese Government.
Bush supporters should not attempt to bend themselves into ridiculous and humiliating positions to defend the indefensible.
Yeah. Been workin outr real well "their way" hasn't it?
Personally, I hope Israel blows up half the region. But while we all admire their willingness to get into the s***, can we really say they've been all that successful in achieving peace?
so go and finish the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Unfair, since that's precisely what he's been doing.
Restraint. Code word for kick their terrorists asses.
Do you like to pick???? Is that what your whole day consists of????
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