In an unusual step, unnamed Israeli government officials have
accused Ireland of leading the charge in the European Union to prevent even the 'militant wing' of Hezbullah from being declared a designated terror organization.
According to the officials,
Ireland – which holds the EU’s rotating presidency – was supported in this
position by Sweden and Finland at a working group on Tuesday that debated the
issue.
...
A spokesman at Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv,
when asked if his country was indeed spearheading opposition to the move, said
that a formal proposal to designate the “military wing” of Hezbollah had been
made by one member state “and is currently being considered within the relevant
working group known as CP931, which Ireland chairs as the current EU
president.”
The spokesman said that an initial discussion was held on
Tuesday, and that further discussions would be required to see whether the
working group “can arrive at an agreed position on the proposal.”
That
meeting, the spokesman said, was scheduled to take place within the next couple
of weeks.
He did not reveal Ireland’s stand on the
matter.
However, one Israeli government official who said Dublin was
leading the opposition charged that this position was “unusual,” given that
Germany, France and Spain – which all have large contingents in UNIFIL – now
back the move.
Media outside Israel have claimed that there are other countries trying to save Hezbullah's fundraising sources.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Austria was also
opposed, while Lebanon’s Daily Star reported that Italy was leading European
opposition.
The claim of Italian opposition was dismissed by Israeli
government officials as “unsubstantiated rumors.” A formal request to the
Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv for a response went unanswered.
The Europeans' total lack of courage is hair-raising. They cannot even agree to declare Hezbullah's
fake 'military wing' a terrorist organization. What could go wrong?
It is not European's "lack of courage".
ReplyDeleteIt is their hate for Israel and Jews.
It's both, Shy Guy.
ReplyDeleteCap', my point is that the lack or presence of "courage" is not the main issue here. I did not mean to imply that the EU weenies are anything else.
ReplyDelete