Tag Archive for EU
Bulgaria reveals to the EU new evidence on Hezbollah terrorist link
EU backs down to avoid undermining Kerry’s peace efforts
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia & Romania, recommending that the ministers in their meetings just adopt a general statement supporting Kerry’s efforts.
In a move surely to be applauded in Jerusalem, the European Union foreign ministers are unlikely to issue detailed conclusions on the Middle East peace process following their monthly meeting on Monday in Luxembourg.
Netanyahu at meeting with Catherine Ashton, EU High Rep for Foreign Affairs, June 20, 2013. – Photo: Courtesy – GPO
Both Israeli and European officials said certain key EU actors were impacted by Jerusalem’s arguments that a detailed European statement right now regarding how the EU envisions the peace process would only serve to undermine US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to get the sides back to the negotiating table.
US Congressmen respond to EU’s failure to blacklist Hezbollah
WASHINGTON — After developments on Wednesday set back efforts to convince the European Union to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, members of Congress are expressing their disappointment and calling for a renewed push against reluctant EU member states.
Hezbollah head Nasrallah speaks at Beirut protest – Photo: REUTERS
Great Britain had been leading the initiative, but Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic continue to harbor reservations, Reuters reported, fearful that the listing would result in terrorist reprisals in Europe and further upheaval in the Middle East.
UK fails to get unanimous EU backing for Hezbollah blacklisting
Britain’s
BRUSSELS – A British drive to put Hezbollah’s armed wing on the EU’s terror list again ran into resistance on Wednesday from governments concerned it would fuel instability in the Middle East, diplomats said.
A bus is blown up during a controlled explosion by investigators probing Bulgaria terror attack – Photo: Reuters
Britain’s request was discussed for a second time by a special European Union group following an inconclusive meeting on June 4, but British diplomats failed to win over a number of skeptical governments.
Liberman: Stop ‘pointless’ dialog with the EU. Time to cut them off
Liberman called the EU decision not to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations “hypocrisy incarnate”. The EU makes demands of Israel in relation to peace talks, but does nothing in return.
Israel should not continue to let the European Union get involved in diplomatic affairs, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Avigdor Liberman said Monday after sending a sharply-worded letter to EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton urging her to include Hezbollah in the EU list of terrorist groups.
Former foreign minister Avigdor Liberman – Photo: Marc Israel Sellem,The Jerusalem Post
Speaking at a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Liberman called the EU decision not to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations “hypocrisy incarnate,” which would “make the EU irrelevant, as far as we’re concerned, when it comes to dealing with the region.”
Secret EU funding for inciting Palestinian NGO’s and BDS leader
NGO Monitor issues report saying the EU’s funds conflict & violence to groups that were centrally involved in 2001 Durban Forum’s strategy of ‘political warfare & demonization of Israel’
By Ynet news staff
In a new report presented to members of the European Parliament, NGO Monitor details the damaging impact of “highly secretive EU funding for radical political advocacy NGOs.”
EU flags – Photo: AFP
According to NGO Monitor, EU funds are going to organizations involved in anti-Israel boycotts and violent demonstrations, which “undermine the EU’s efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.”
According to NGO Monitor, the report, titled “Lack of Due Diligence and Transparency in European Union Funding for Radical NGOs,” shows how EU-funded NGOs lead the campaigns to demonize Israel through the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) – actions that “totally contradict the EU’s proclaimed objectives of supporting peace and democratic development.” Continue Reading »
Ireland leads opposition in having Hezbollah blacklisted by EU
Government officials in Jerusalem accused Ireland on Wednesday of leading opposition inside the EU to placing Hezbollah, or at least its “military wing,” on the European Union’s terrorist black list.
Hezbollah terrorists – Photo by EPA
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 consensus of the EU’s 27 states will be needed to blacklist Hezbollah’s “military wing,” a move now even backed by Germany and France.
UK’s push to blacklist Hezbollah encounters EU opposition
A few European countries are concerned the blacklisting would increase instability in the Middle East.
A British request to blacklist the armed wing of Hezbollah ran into opposition in the European Union on Tuesday, with several governments expressing concern that such a move would increase instability in the Middle East.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah addresses supporters during a Jerusalem Day rally in Beirut, August 17, 2012. – Photo: Reuters
Britain has argued that the militant Shi’ite Muslim group should face European sanctions because of evidence that it was behind a bus bombing in Bulgaria last July that killed five Israelis and their driver. Continue Reading »
Germany backs labeling settlements products from WB
The German government has given its tacit approval of European Union efforts to label products manufactured in Israeli-controlled territory beyond the Green Line, Army Radio reported on Sunday morning.
German Chancellor Merkel & PM Binyamin Netanyahu – Photo: GPO
The IDF-run radio station said it obtained an official German government document that was produced in response to a parliamentary motion by opposition lawmakers in Berlin. The document reportedly enunciates Germany’s stance on the issue.
“In our view, it is permissible to label products with the ‘Made in Israel’ sticker only if those products are manufactured within the 1967 borders,” reads the document obtained by Army Radio.
Jerusalem will act to prevent Russia’s S-300 missile from becoming operational
Netanyahu informs European foreign ministers that after Russian missiles get to Assad, Israel’s ‘entire airspace will become a no-fly zone’ & therefore it ‘cannot stand idly by.’
Israel’s National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror sketched out what Jerusalem’s “red line” is vis-à-vis the S-300 missile systems Russia intends to send to Syria before the 27 European Union ambassadors in Israel.
In this picture taken on Thursday May 23, 2013, Israeli soldiers patrol their side near the southern Lebanese-Israeli border of Hamames village, Lebanon. – Photo: AP
Two diplomats who were in the room during the briefing last Thursday, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was a closed event, said that Amidror stressed Israel will act “to prevent the S-300 missiles from becoming operational” on Syrian soil. Continue Reading »
Moscow to arm Assad with S-300 missiles to prevent ‘foreign’ (Israeli) intervention
Top Russian official says Russia will commence with sale of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Assad’s army.
Israeli Defense Minister Ya’alon says that if advanced weapon systems reach Syria, Israel will respond.
A top Russian diplomat confirmed that Moscow will provide Syria with state-of-the art air defense missiles to prevent foreign intervention in the country
A Russian S-300 in Moscow. – Photo: AP
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov wouldn’t say whether Russia has shipped any of the long-range S-300 air defense missile systems, but added that Moscow isn’t going to abandon the deal despite strong Western and Israeli criticism. Continue Reading »
Scandinavian countries too intimidated to place Hezbollah on EU terror list
Israel focusing on getting Scandinavian countries to drop their opposition to the move since a decision would have to be unanimous within the EU for designating Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
By Shlomo Cesana
Israel is pushing for the U.S. and other Western countries to pressure Scandinavian countries to drop their opposition to adding Hezbollah to the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations.
Hezbollah supporters march in a Beirut suburb – Photo: Reuters
In recent weeks, there has been growing European support for adding Hezbollah to the list. But according to EU law, such a decision would have to be unanimous, meaning that any single country could block it.
Hezbullah’s Deputy Chief threatens EU Against Terror Blacklist
Hezbullah’s deputy, Sheikh Naim Qassem warns the EU it would be making a “big mistake” if it should label the group as a terrorist organization.
By Elad Benari, Canada
The deputy chief of the Hizbullah organization warned the European Union on Friday that it would be making a “big mistake” if it labeled the Lebanese Shiite group as a terrorist organization.
Hezbollah’s no. 2 Sheikh Naim Qassem – Photo Reuters
Sheikh Naim Qassem told the Al Mayadeen television network that such threats “do not concern” or worry the group. He did not elaborate.
The EU has so far been reluctant to add Hizbullah to its list of terrorist organizations, but Britain this week filed a formal request to blacklist what is called the “military wing” of the Lebanon-based group. Continue Reading »
Op-Ed: When the Going gets Tough, EU Just Leaves UNIFIL!
Just as Syria’s crisis is escalating tensions, rumors of an EU withdrawal from Beirut are heard and Hizbullah begins applying pressure.
From Il Giornale, sent to Arutz Sheva in translation by the writer.
By Hon. Fiamma Nirenstein
It really would not be a good sign if UNIFIL, the UN Peace Force on the border between Lebanon and Israel, pulled out now, while tensions have heated up due to Syria’s tragedy and all that goes with it.
UN lookout at the Quneitra Crossing between Syria and the Israeli Golan Heights – Photo: AP
The EU is apparently threatening to withdraw its soldiers (it nonetheless denied it after a Kuwaiti newspaper disclosed the news) and these rumors were extremely detailed.
Germany backs UK’s proposal of blacklisting Hezbollah’s military wing
The UK submitted application to the EU on Monday to blacklist, the military wing of Hezbollah.
The Netherlands along with Israel, Bahrain,U.S. & Canada have banned Hezbollah’s entire organization
.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle decided Wednesday to support listing Hezbollah’s military wing as a terrorist organization in the European Union, according to German diplomatic sources.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle – Photo: Reuters
“In the light of discussions we have had with our partners following the terrorist attack in Burgas, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle supports listing at least the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in the EU,” the officials said.
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