Wider Middle East conflict

[dancinpants]

Looking at the headlines of video links there Dermot Ahern says the latest developments are a *disappointment*...

...Really, Dermot?

Where does the Irish Government stand with regards to the conflict in the Middle East? This attack on the UN has been the only instance that I've found condemnation of the Israeli's. I haven't found any condemnation from the Government condemning what is basically Israeli carpet bombing of the Leb!! Is it the typical "Well America and Britain are basically shoulder to shoulder with Israel so we better keep schtum" bullsh1t?

[Dodge]

Where does the Irish Government stand with regards to the conflict in the Middle East? This attack on the UN has been the only instance that I've found condemnation of the Israeli's. I haven't found any condemnation from the Government condemning what is basically Israeli carpet bombing of the Leb!! Is it the typical "Well America and Britain are basically shoulder to shoulder with Israel so we better keep schtum" bullsh1t?

Extracts from press releases

http://www.dfa.ie/Press_Releases/20060718/2118.htm
But Israel is a strong military power. We share the belief within the EU that its military response in Gaza and in Lebanon has been harsh and disproportionate. Israel has a legitimate right to defend its citizens, but this must not be at the expense of the lives and welfare of Lebanese and Palestinian civilians. All military operations must be carried out in strict accordance with international law. And all parties must act on their responsibility to protect civilian lives. It has to be said that Israel is clearly failing to do so.

http://www.dfa.ie/Press_Releases/20060713/2115.htm
I condemn the deaths of large numbers of civilians in Israeli attacks on Lebanon and in Gaza. They are being caused by harshly disproportionate military action. I call on the Israeli Government to ensure that military operations are undertaken only in accordance with international law. It should end its blockade on Lebanon, stop the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza, and act urgently to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Territories

http://www.dfa.ie/Press_Releases/20060721/2119.htm
Conor Lenihan, T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, today announced that the Government is to provide €1 million in relief assistance for Lebanon and Palestine to meet the growing humanitarian needs as a result of the current crisis.

An immediate sum of €500,000 in humanitarian relief will be made available for Lebanon and €500,000 in emergency humanitarian support will be provided for Palestine.

The Minister stated “Ireland shares a strong sense of solidarity with Lebanon and its people, not least as a result of our long history of involvement with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force. We are also very concerned at the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Occupied Territories. The Government has called for an end to the violence in and from Lebanon, Israel and Palestine and is extremely concerned at the large number of civilian casualties and the continued destruction of essential infrastructure. We will continue to exert our influence directly with the parties and within the EU and at the UN to end the crisis and encourage a return to political negotiation.”

[paul_oshea]

does nobody remember the two irish soldiers that got killed in 81 by the israelis?

I did like the use of the word "goverments SUMMONS israeli envoy" that was quite strong. fair play to ahern if thats what he said.

again i better keep my real feelings hidden or ill be getting a ban!!

[Dodge]

again i better keep my real feelings hidden or ill be getting a ban!!

As long as you're not an idiot, you won't.

[paul_oshea]

NO, dodge it might be too close to the bone for some, a smack of 21st century realism.

I am not an idiot, I dont know about you however

[Dodge]

Oh I'm definitely an idiot. Iwas just saying you won't get banned for expressing your opinion if you do it in a decent way...

[hoops1]

I havent had time to read all the posts so some of these points
may have been made already
imo the Israelis are evil warmongers
Looking at the murder of innocent civilians last night
on the box would make you a supporter of all things anti Israel
Imagine if the British bombed Dublin like that every time the IRA killed
one of its soldiers!
They deliberately killed them UN soldiers( the UN post was in contact
with the Israelis 6 times before they were killed)
IMO the real axis of Evil is the US,Britain,Israel

[pete]

Israel could care less what Ireland thinks. The only country they would possibly listen to is the USA & thats not guaranteed.

[paul_oshea]

Efforts to reach a statement failed yesterday after the United States was reported to have rejected any criticism of the Israeli operation.

Ok, I dont mean this in a bad way honestly, but what really ****ess me off here, is the hypocrisy of the US, had one of its own (UN) citizens been killed in this strike, things would be completely different. Im not saying I would have liked to have seen an american getting killed, not at all, but it would be *more* than interesting to see if one had, how the US would have reacted then. its fairly obvious the israelis dont want a UN presence in lebanon, so the UN seeing what they are doing and are trying to scaremonger them out of lebanon so they can get on with their genocide without any info being filtered out to the rest of the world. and thats simply what it is......genocide that is....

As I say that australia have withdrawn their 12 citizens from the UN in that area. who else to follow suit? need I say more.

What I really want to know, and I know most of it already, but why is it the US have an undying support for Israel and will therefore never criticise said (illegal)state.

[Dodge]

Israel could care less what Ireland thinks. The only country they would possibly listen to is the USA & thats not guaranteed.

Tommy Tirnan does a decent skit on this.. "**** off! *** off! *** off!!!"

[Saint Tom]

Paul define "illegal state"? the borders of Israel (excluding the occupied territories that is) are internationally recognised. The state may be breaking aspects of international law but the state itself is not illegal. terminology along those lines is extremely loose and dangerous.

I deplore the killing of the UN officials, and it does reflect very badly. I dont think it was accidental, and had a certain level of intent. the israelis are getting it a lot tougher than they expected in border infantry combat

[paul_oshea]

the israelis are getting it a lot tougher than they expected in border infantry combat

ya hopefully that continues.

Tom, btw I reckon, and go to far as to say, that the israelis had advised the US to ensure none of its UN personnel were there at the time of that bombing. Cos the israelis had been warned on 6 different occassions they were targeting UN positions.

[bennocelt]

Paul define "illegal state"? the borders of Israel (excluding the occupied territories that is) are internationally recognised. The state may be breaking aspects of international law but the state itself is not illegal. terminology along those lines is extremely loose and dangerous.

I deplore the killing of the UN officials, and it does reflect very badly. I dont think it was accidental, and had a certain level of intent. the israelis are getting it a lot tougher than they expected in border infantry combat

illegal? a lot of arab nations would probably like to agrre with paul
also isnt the northern ireland partionist border officially recognised as well
wonder is it possible to get any lebanon flags for the trip to germany.....solidarity and all that?

[pete]

I have a lot of sympathy for Israels battles with terrorists but they have gone too far this time. Deliberate targetting of UN observers & TV crews shows what they probably doing when the media not watching. Where is the UN now that Israel is invading Lebanon - didn't they attack Iraq because did the same thing in Kuwait, same for Serbia into Kosovo.

Blair has lost any remaining respect & i wonder how this affecting his opinion polls in the UK.

[Saint Tom]

politics and sport should not mix, so I would not be keen on seeing lebanon flags flown in Stuttgart. People forget very easily the welcome that we got in tel Aviv last year, and the "Protests" at lansdowne for the return game were disgusting.

as for reference to the north, this situation is incomparable

[bennocelt]

politics and sport should not mix, so I would not be keen on seeing lebanon flags flown in Stuttgart. People forget very easily the welcome that we got in tel Aviv last year, and the "Protests" at lansdowne for the return game were disgusting.

as for reference to the north, this situation is incomparable

if i want to wave a plaestine/leb flag its my right to do so, i feel an affinity with the palestinian situation....i have no love for israel
i wouldnt protest or anything like that but i would like to show soldiarity

why is the ref to the north incomparable.....i was talking about your idea of what a border "officially" is and isnt
in my opinion i dont recognise "northern ireland" or israel

[pete]

if i want to wave a plaestine/leb flag its my right to do so, i feel an affinity with the palestinian situation....i have no love for israel
i wouldnt protest or anything like that but i would like to show soldiarity

If you wanted to protest outside the group fair enough. Protesting inside stadiums is childish & unfair. Too many morons to jump on the bandwagon.

[Saint Tom]

so when you dont recognise Israel, as you say, are you of the opinion that it should not exist?

This situation is totally incomparable to the north ( major clash of world religions, international repercussions, western interests v islamic fundamentalism, number of people affected, number of victims, history going back thousands of years)

[pete]

More than 40 civilians, including 20 children, have been killed in a town in southern Lebanon in the deadliest Israeli strike of the conflict.

Israel say they were targetting Hizbollah based on intelligence but obviously that "intelligence" didn't tell them anything about civilians, that is if they even cared.

[bennocelt]

so when you dont recognise Israel, as you say, are you of the opinion that it should not exist?

This situation is totally incomparable to the north ( major clash of world religions, international repercussions, western interests v islamic fundamentalism, number of people affected, number of victims, history going back thousands of years)

yeah it shouldnt exist........

im not comparing it to norn iron.(even though thre are simalarities with the way the jews treat the palestinians and the british government in the past).....just pointing out that your point about official borders is not true
just casue it says it in your geography book doesnt mean diddly squat..