The EU extorts concessions out of Israel
JPOST
Israeli officials, meanwhile, responded to the Quartet statement on the diplomatic process issued Saturday by saying that “it could have been a lot worse.”
The statement, which expressed regret that Israel did not extend a settlement moratorium last September, stopped well short of endorsing a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood on all territory beyond the 1967 lines. Instead, the Quartet
“reaffirmed that negotiations should lead to an outcome that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and resolves all permanent-status issues, in order to end the conflict and achieve a two-state solution.”
Israeli officials said that the package of incentives agreed upon by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Quartet envoy Tony Blair helped “soften” the Quartet’s statement. Netanyahu met with Blair three times over the last three weeks, and some 10 times over the last three months to hammer out the package, much of which Western officials have...
Britain’s leader criticizes multicultural policy
By John F. Burns, New York Times
Faced with growing alarm about Islamic militants who have made Britain one of Europe’s most active bases for terrorist plots, Prime Minister David Cameron has mounted an attack on the country’s decades-old policy of “multiculturalism,” saying it has encouraged “segregated communities” where Islamic extremism can thrive.
Speaking at a security conference in Munich on Saturday, Cameron condemned what he called the “hands-off tolerance” in Britain and other European nations that had encouraged Muslims and other immigrant groups “to live separate lives, apart from each other and the mainstream.” He said that the policy had allowed Islamic militants leeway to radicalize young Muslims.
In what aides described as one of the most important speeches in the nine months since he became prime minister, Cameron said the multiculturalism policy – one espoused by British governments since the 1960s,...
Robbie Burns: “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men. Gang aft agley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,”
By Ted Belman
From all my reading and observatrions about the Egyptian crises, I note that the US, EU and Canada are now all on the same page and are reading from the same script.
Here’s how the Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, put it.
“We take note that discussions between the Egyptian government and opposition parties have begun. Canada reiterates its support for the people of Egypt as they embark on this vital transition toward a more democratic system of government. As I have said before, it is ultimately up to the Egyptian people to decide who will govern them.
“This transition must be both orderly and guided by values such as non-violence, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of religious minorities.
“We expect that any government that will emerge will uphold Egypt’s commitment to international law, as well as all past peace accords and agreements, including with Israel.
“We believe that reform...
Ted Belman
Jerusalem, Israel
Posts
