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Edited on Mon Nov-24-03 05:01 AM by Paschall
The site maintains Forums that seem to be organized by members. Among a small group of forums given particularly high visibility is the L Ron Hubbard Information Office Europe. This is the Church of Scientology for those who don't realize it; I do not know, however, if the site itself is operated by or affiliated with the COS. Other forums (not given equally prominent links) seem to be organized by Microsoft, Volvo, ITV, Levi Strauss, The United States Mission to the European Union (that's the US "amabassador" to the EU), etc. The Hubbard connection, however, makes me very uneasy. Otherwise, and this deserves a close read, here are a few quotes from the full interview that seem to be the basis for this story: Question: How do you react to the recent polls that point to the fact that 59 per cent of Europeans believe that Israel endangers the world's safety, or that 17 per cent of Italians thought that without Israel's existence the problem of the Middle East would have been solved? How badly these polls bother you? How does Israel intend to act to eliminate this phenomenon, and these positions?
Ariel Sharon: What we are facing in Europe is an anti-Semitism that has always existed and it really is not a new phenomenon. This anti-Semitism exists and what pushes it is a 'collective anti-Semitism' that incorporates Israel into this equation. Of course there are anti-Semites who use the events in Israel and the argument that Israel uses excessive force and through this they are trying to compromise Israel's right to self defence, thus there is a danger to Jews. An ever stronger Muslim presence in Europe, is certainly endangering the life of Jewish people. This attempt of dismissing our legitimacy to self defence is testimony to anti-Semitism.
Question: Mr prime minister, in Europe there is an attempt to distinguish between an anti-Semitism that should be condemned and a legitimate criticism toward Israel's policies. Furthermore there are those who think that Israel utilises anti-Semitism as a shield from criticism directed at her.
Ariel Sharon Today there is no separation. We are talking about collective anti-Semitism. The state of Israel is the Jewish state and the attitude towards Israel runs accordingly. This anti-Semitism is fundamental, and today, in order to incite it and to undermine the Jews' rights for self-defence, it is re-aroused. These days to conduct an anti-Semite policy is not a popular thing, so the anti-Semites bundle their policies in with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Anti-Semitism needs to be fought against. This is a very dangerous thing. However, certainly the right answers could be found in order to fight it. Our demand from the European countries is to fight anti-Semitism in every possible way and vigorously. Of course the sheer fact that there are a huge amount of Muslims, approximately 17 million in the EU, this issue has also turned into a political matter. I would say, in my opinion, EU governments are not doing enough to tackle anti-Semitism. However, there are some countries that incorporate this subject in their educational curriculum, and that is exactly what needs to be done. There is a need to teach, there is a need to explain, there is a need to remind what anti-Semitism caused in the past, and one must know that the damage caused by anti-Semitism ultimately does not affect only the Jews, but also affects those countries where anti-Semitism is rife. They must fight this anti-Semitism. You cannot separate here; Israel is treated as a Jewish state.
Question: Mr prime minister, Israel-Europe relations have reached a crisis, perhaps the worst in memory. What is the cause of the lack of understanding between Israel and Europe?
Ariel Sharon: It is important to clarify: Israel has had an extensive interest in its relations with Europe in many areas: in economics, science, culture, and its infrastructure. Since Europe is a big and important supplier of Israel, Europe is a natural market for Israel and we have a clear interest to conduct fruitful relations with Europe. In the political arena I have clarified to the Europeans that Europe could have played a stronger and central role if it had conducted a more balanced policy in the Middle East. Europe's policy is not balanced right now. The state of Israel cannot afford to deposit its destiny in the hands of the Europeans who are known for their unbalanced policy. Of course, it is dangerous to generalise, but it is possible to say that the majority of countries in Europe do not have a balanced policy. Today during the Italian presidency we can say that Europe's policy is balanced. {Mr. Sharon certainly seems to have picked his camp!} The majority of its members do not accept that, but Italy has acted towards bringing a more balanced position to Europe.
Question: It seems as though the fence as Israel defines it, has been perceived in Europe as a wall that can only intensify the disagreements between Israel and European Union.
Ariel Sharon: Regarding the fence, unfortunately many Europeans do not know the reality in the territory. An explicit explanation could clarify the positions of Israel and change the approach in Europe. There are nine kilometres of wall built inside Israel's green line, designed to protect a central line connecting Northern Israel with the South. It is a line where Palestinians developed a habit of shooting at passing cars and labourers who developed the road. The roll of the physical wall is to protect those who travel from the sniper shootings. However we are talking about nine kilometres of a wall as part of a system of hundreds of kilometres of fence. The purpose of the fence is foremost to serve as a security measure, not a political border. This is meant to make it difficult for terrorists to penetrate Israel and perform suicide bombings in the cities of Israel. We are talking about a measure that is designed to protect the security of Israeli citizens. I beg to clarify to the Europeans: If I am facing the question and the dilemma of whether to absorb European criticism or to add and contribute to the safety of Israeli citizens, I have no problem determining how to act. Besides, the fence prevents the passage of thousands of Palestinians who immigrate illegally to the Arab cities and villages inside Israel. This passage is not only illegal, but also increases and encourages the implementation of terror acts. In my conversations with members of the Italian government, I have explained that this is similar to the attempts that Italy makes to prevent the entry of refugees to its territory. However, unlike the refugees who tried to find their livelihood in Italy, in our case this immigration leads to an intensification of the terror. |
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