US demands immediate end to Israeli strikes

AFP ^ | 19-10-01, 21:57GMT

[maquiladora]

The United States has called for an immediate end to Israeli incursions in the Palestinian-controlled territories, charging they did nothing but "complicate" an already difficult situation.

"Israeli entries into Palestinian-controlled areas are not helpful, complicate the situation and should be halted," a State Department official requesting anonymity said.

The directive came after three people were fatally shot by Israeli troops near the West Bank town of Bethlehem, bringing the total number of dead today to six, with more than 28 injured in the lethal game of brinkmanship being played out in the historic city.

"All sides must now act in a manner that helps restore trust and confidence and avoid steps that inflame the situation and make more difficult measures to achieve calm," the official added.

Today's message was just the latest in a series of appeals from the United States over the course of the year-long Palestinian uprising or intifada for both sides to take steps to end violence that has killed more than 700 and has no discernible end in sight.

Meanwhile an Israeli embassy source here said Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is to meet his US counterpart Mr Colin Powell Tuesday in Washington.

Mr Peres, due to arrive Sunday in the US capital, also plans to address the American Jewish Congress, and will on Monday spend time in the US Senate while also meeting members of the congressional pro-Israel lobby known as AIPAC.

[Lanman]

State Department official requesting anonymity said.

I don't believe it.

[Sparticle]

The directive came after three people were fatally shot by Israeli troops near the West Bank town of Bethlehem

There go the only 3 wise men left over there.

[dighton]

... a State Department official requesting anonymity said.

'Nuff said.

[Agent Smith]

Could it actually be that the interests of Israel and the United States are NOT identical?

Where is the AMEN corner when they are needed?

[Heisenburger]

Great. The U.S. State Department has been hijacked by Arabs. No doubt its the fault of one of the most pro-Arab SoS's in history, who shall remain nameless, Colin Powell.

[mlo]

Precisely. An anonymous official does not speak for the US Government.

[teletech]

So we ARE going to tell Israel how and when to defend herself even though we said we wouuldn't. UNREAL!

[ImpBill]

This is "bull". State Dept. officials that request anonimity don't have the power to demand squat.

[watsonfellow]

Got to love Shrub and his State Department!

[Dog Gone]

You know, even as dependent as Israel is on the US, we don't issue "directives" to them.

[Clara Lou]

Israel has lost a member of its national government. Are they supposed to sit there and accept that because we tell them to? That would be nothing but a signal to Yasir that Israel is fair game while we hit Afghanistan.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Didnt they just tell them that they were not going to tell them how to defend their country .......someone somewhere is mixed up

[Hildy]

Israel to America: Screw you.

[KingKongCobra]

yeah, like the Irish Times has all the top secret info about conversations between the U.S. and Israel. Sorry, this sets my BS detector off.

[JMJ333]

How would Agence France Press know? This administration is keeping tight-lipped, but are making an exception for the Frogs?? LOL. I guess they have to print something, even if it is just a rumor.

[dighton]

Got to love Shrub and his State Department!

The headline is garbage, the story is crap, and your tic is wearisome.

[map]

Your link leads to the Irish Times. Why did you enter the arabist AFP? Which is correct?

[classygreeneyedblonde]

U.S. Ambassador: America won't tell Israel how to defend itself

United States Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer said Thursday that Israel's demand that the Palestinian Authority extradite those responsible for the murder of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi was "right and proper," and that the U.S. was not "going to determine for Israel how it defends itself."