Israel warns EU to tone down its criticism

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Israel warned the European Union on Thursday to tone down its criticism of the new Israeli government or risk forfeiting the bloc's role as broker in Mideast peace efforts.

The warning came after EU's commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, this week criticized Israel's refusal to endorse a Palestinian state. She said an upgrade in Israeli-EU relations would depend on Israel's commitment to the "two-state solution."

It also came ahead of a planned trip to Europe next week by Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman - his first official trip abroad. The ultranationalist Lieberman's comments about Arabs and Mideast peace have raised international concerns about the new Israeli Cabinet's intentions.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor on Thursday called Ferrero-Waldner's comments "very militant" and contrary to understandings with other EU officials.

He said her remarks threatened to undermine understandings with the EU to maintain a "quiet dialogue" until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completes the formulation of his foreign policy.

"If there is no coherence in the European position ... this will not be useful and will not help the EU in playing a role here," Palmor said.

The Haaretz daily reported Thursday that Foreign Ministry official Rafi Barak has been calling European ambassadors in the country to tell them that public criticism of Israel could undermine Europe's influence here.

The EU is one of four members of the so-called Quartet - the international body charged with promoting an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. The other members are the U.S., Russia and the United Nations."

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[liberal N proud]

1. Israel meets dissent or criticism much the same way the bu$h regime

met with dissent over the war. Remember you are either with us or against us cries. Doesn't sound like what Israel does anytime anyone questions them?

Which is probably what this post will be met with even though I offer this only as an observation.

[Voice for Peace]

4. agree

they need somebody to stand up to them with consistency. I'm hopeful.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[ananda]

3. or else.. what?

Give me a break.

[Malikshah]

5. seconded. Or what? Israel has no moral leg on which to stand. Suck it up and deal.

[azurnoir]

6. Or else what?

the EU stated a very similar position last year, it went without all the huffing and puffing it has met from the new government

In June 2008, the EU said a "closer partnership with Israel" must happen in parallel to "the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the implementation of the two-state solution."

if Israel is really planning to implement a two state solution, one which Lieberman claims to advocate albeit for his own reasons, what is the problem?