Bush says Israel has right to defend itself but urges restraint

Haaretz ^ | 7/13/2006 | News Agencies

[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.

[SJackson]

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Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

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[FreeReign]

Bush needs to shove all this "restraint" talk where the sun don't shine. And i'll go one step further, Hizbullah, Assad and Tehran need to be taken out. Let's end this here

Bush didn't use the word "retraint".

[From One - Many]

I have attempted to remain true to our President and understand his comments, but I am at a loss as to why our President is vacant or AWOL on this issue and several other issues I'll not mention at this time. Mr. President, I've supported you, I've voted for you twice, but you are wrong, Sir. Clean out the vermin terrorists or the vermin terrorist will kill more people. Common sense has been one of your strong points, Mr. President, but there is no common sense in your words for Israel. Restraint, Sir, Take Your Restraint and Shove It, Sir. "You are either with us or with the terrorists, Sir."

[brothers4thID]

OK who stole the President's "set"? Lebanon harbors and abets terrorists. They are no different than Afghanistan. In some ways they might even be worse because some of the terrorists are elected officials!

[FreeReign]

Common sense has been one of your strong points, Mr. President, but there is no common sense in your words for Israel. Restraint, Sir, Take Your Restraint and Shove It, Sir. "You are either with us or with the terrorists, Sir."

Apparently, not-so-common sense says from reading the article that the President didn't use the word "restraint".

[dinoparty]

You haven't addressed the effect unrestrained rhetoric would have on our operations in Paki, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Any comment?

[Mo1]

All he's saying is to wipe out Hizbollah and leave the rest of Lebonon alone.

Bingo!

[reagan_fanatic]

I could care less about what Bush says in public - I care a great deal about the immense pressure this country has, in private, put on Israel in the past regarding previous military operations.

IMO, Israel has been far too restrained for far too long. You can only imagine the anger and frustration Americans would feel if mexicans were crossing the border daily, year after year, blowing themselves up at malls, supermarkets and bus stations in your neighborhood - and we had to hold back because the world told us not to inflame the situation any further with military action.

The only language these terorist vermin understand is the language of bombs and bullets. It's time to stop restraining Israel and let them clean out their infestation once and for all.

[evad]

If anyone doesn't know, Hizballah is in the Beirut government.

yup...bought, paid for and totally run by IRAN.

[Hawk1976]

You have not defeated an enemy until he is convinced he is defeated. When the emperor gave the order, those who it could be relayed to were obeyed. They were convinced that if the emperor said they were defeated, then they were.

One of the main goals of the allies in WW2 was to inflict enough hardship on the civilian populations to convince them they were thoroughly as a people defeated.

We waged a hearts and minds campaign in Vietnam. The Russians waged a hearts and minds campaign in Afghanistan, ultimately both failed.

I think it may come to that horror of total war against these countries and the annihilation of the infrastructure, regardless of impact on civilians to finally cow the arab population enough to allow representative governments to take root.

[SJackson]

All he's saying is to wipe out Hizbollah and leave the rest of Lebonon alone.

That's like wiping out the Democrats after an attack by General Kerry of the DNC, but leaving Republican infastructure alone.

Hizbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese government, they hold 14 of 128 assembly seats, sypmathizers better than double that. They serve in the cabinet. The government not only allows Hizbollah to maintain a private army in violation of international agreements (and Security Council resolutions), but they allow supply through Lebanese infrastructure. Ports, airports, roads. Hizbollah is given free reign to maintain order in southern Lebanon (and South Beirut).

This wasn't an attack by a terrorist group based in Lebanon, it was an attack by Lebanon. You can no more separate the two than you can separate the Taliban and al Qaida

[RouxStir]

I'm pretty sick of this crap from Bush and the state dept. Essentially Bush is telling Israel that they can slap the muz-scum in the face, but when the scum repsonds, they must back down.

Eventually, islam will have to be taken care of by vigilantes.

[From One - Many]

I read and I typed based on my thoughts (opinion) after my having read. Sometimes one must read between the lines.

The President's words quoting from the article, "Secondly, whatever Israel does should not weaken the...government in Lebanon."

Now if the quote is accurate, I for one am disappointed in our President.

[evad]

I'm pretty sick of this crap from Bush and the state dept. Essentially Bush is telling Israel that they can slap the muz-scum in the face, but when the scum repsonds, they must back down.

aw, come on.

By now you must know of the W Rope-a-dope!

[Sabramerican]

Bombing targets in Afghanistan and Iraq, killing Zarqawi, that doesn't hinder support for the US. But if the President just kept his mouth shut- he doesn't even have to support Israel- just not chastise them- now that would harm our interests.

But I'm curious if in any way our interests ever include supporting a friend and ally when its cities are being rocketed and its citizens killed.

[Convert from ECUSA]

"Israel must show restraint, Israel must show restraint, Israel must show restraint......" Israel farts funny, and everyone and their dog start with the "Israel must show restraint" mantra. 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.

[olde north church]

We waged a hearts and minds campaign in Vietnam. The Russians waged a hearts and minds campaign in Afghanistan, ultimately both failed.

Get them by the balls and their hearts and minds will follow.