So Why aren't Israelis 'desert dudes' ? or is it that everyone who surronds them is a 'desert dude' but when it comes to Israel it becomes a tropical forest ?
:cool
Also, why the europeans think quite differently from the US? They must be anti-semitic, check this article from Haaretz daily itself:
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BARCELONA - The leaders of the European Union called Saturday on both Israel and Palestinians to rein in the violence. Ending a two-day summit, they said in a statement there "is no military solution to this conflict."
Israel's "use of excessive force" against Palestinians cannot be justified, they said. Equally, the leaders said, "actions against medical and humanitarian institutions and personnel are particularly unacceptable."
They added that "the indiscriminate [Palestinian] terrorist attacks killing and injuring innocent civilians must be condemned" and that the Palestinian Authority, headed by Yasser Arafat, "has the full responsibility of fighting terrorism with all the means at its disposal."
They urged Israel to immediately withdraw its forces from Palestinian-run areas and lift all restrictions on the movement of Arafat. In addition, they demanded that Israel stop the 'executions without trial' of Palestinians, to freeze the building of settlements, and to relieve the closures imposed upon Palestinian cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
They also called upon Israel to allow international observers to uphold a cease-fire between Israel and the PA.
"The European Union Committee is convinced that observation by a third party can assist both sides in their efforts and will push them to accept the the fact that the observers can help them reach a peace agreement," they said.
The EU statement was issued as U.S. Middle East mediator Anthony Zinni launched a second round of meetings with Palestinian security officials.
The EU welcomed Zinni's return to the region and said they were ready to work with him to press for peace.
Prospects for Zinni's open-ended mission improved after Israel withdrew from three West Bank cities on Friday, scaling back the largest military operation in a generation. IDF troops remained in two other towns under Palestinian control, despite an American call for a total Israeli withdrawal ahead of Zinni's renewed mediation.
Saudi plan a 'unique' chance
The EU statement also praised the Middle East peace initiative proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, calling it a "unique" chance for peace and urged Arab governments and Israel to use it to end violence in the region.
The Europeans expressed support of Abdullah's peace plan saying it "offers a unique opportunity to be seized in the interest of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict."
The intiative calls for Arab nations to make peace with Israel in return for it handing back land captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose-Maria Aznar said the EU hopes "it can be endorsed by the Arab League" at a summit meeting later this month in Beirut.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has proposed the EU put together a 6.2 billion euro ($5.5 billion) economic development plan for the Middle East, to be implemented if a peace deal is reached.
Berlusconi said Italy would be a major contributor to the plan, which he has likened to the U.S. Marshal Plan that supported Europe's economic recovery after World War II.
EU to support Palestinian state
The EU leaders were set to reaffirm their support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside an Israel secure within internationally recognized borders.
"[The EU supports] the creation of a democratic, viable and independent Palestinian state, bringing to an end the occupation of territories which began in 1967," Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique told reporters after a working dinner Friday night.
But unlike earlier drafts seen at the summit Friday, the declaration would not include a call for Israel to respect the fourth Geneva convention, which protects the rights of refugees. Asked to explain the amendment, Pique, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said both sides in the conflict already knew what was required of them under international law.
Germany and the Netherlands, which traditionally oppose strong criticism of Israel, had insisted that the line be dropped, one EU diplomat said.
[/b]
Go Europe!!!
:cool
Also, why the europeans think quite differently from the US? They must be anti-semitic, check this article from Haaretz daily itself:
<<
BARCELONA - The leaders of the European Union called Saturday on both Israel and Palestinians to rein in the violence. Ending a two-day summit, they said in a statement there "is no military solution to this conflict."
Israel's "use of excessive force" against Palestinians cannot be justified, they said. Equally, the leaders said, "actions against medical and humanitarian institutions and personnel are particularly unacceptable."
They added that "the indiscriminate [Palestinian] terrorist attacks killing and injuring innocent civilians must be condemned" and that the Palestinian Authority, headed by Yasser Arafat, "has the full responsibility of fighting terrorism with all the means at its disposal."
They urged Israel to immediately withdraw its forces from Palestinian-run areas and lift all restrictions on the movement of Arafat. In addition, they demanded that Israel stop the 'executions without trial' of Palestinians, to freeze the building of settlements, and to relieve the closures imposed upon Palestinian cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
They also called upon Israel to allow international observers to uphold a cease-fire between Israel and the PA.
"The European Union Committee is convinced that observation by a third party can assist both sides in their efforts and will push them to accept the the fact that the observers can help them reach a peace agreement," they said.
The EU statement was issued as U.S. Middle East mediator Anthony Zinni launched a second round of meetings with Palestinian security officials.
The EU welcomed Zinni's return to the region and said they were ready to work with him to press for peace.
Prospects for Zinni's open-ended mission improved after Israel withdrew from three West Bank cities on Friday, scaling back the largest military operation in a generation. IDF troops remained in two other towns under Palestinian control, despite an American call for a total Israeli withdrawal ahead of Zinni's renewed mediation.
Saudi plan a 'unique' chance
The EU statement also praised the Middle East peace initiative proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, calling it a "unique" chance for peace and urged Arab governments and Israel to use it to end violence in the region.
The Europeans expressed support of Abdullah's peace plan saying it "offers a unique opportunity to be seized in the interest of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict."
The intiative calls for Arab nations to make peace with Israel in return for it handing back land captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose-Maria Aznar said the EU hopes "it can be endorsed by the Arab League" at a summit meeting later this month in Beirut.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has proposed the EU put together a 6.2 billion euro ($5.5 billion) economic development plan for the Middle East, to be implemented if a peace deal is reached.
Berlusconi said Italy would be a major contributor to the plan, which he has likened to the U.S. Marshal Plan that supported Europe's economic recovery after World War II.
EU to support Palestinian state
The EU leaders were set to reaffirm their support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside an Israel secure within internationally recognized borders.
"[The EU supports] the creation of a democratic, viable and independent Palestinian state, bringing to an end the occupation of territories which began in 1967," Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique told reporters after a working dinner Friday night.
But unlike earlier drafts seen at the summit Friday, the declaration would not include a call for Israel to respect the fourth Geneva convention, which protects the rights of refugees. Asked to explain the amendment, Pique, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said both sides in the conflict already knew what was required of them under international law.
Germany and the Netherlands, which traditionally oppose strong criticism of Israel, had insisted that the line be dropped, one EU diplomat said.
[/b]
Go Europe!!!
