For the past five years or so, the EU has played an active role in Mideast politics. Tensions between the EU and Israel have increased, however, particularly with the election of the new Israeli government.
The latest: EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that the planned upgrade in EU-Israeli relations would be put on hold until the "new Israeli government shows a clear commitment to pursue peace negotiations with the Palestinians." An Israeli foreign ministry official asked Europe "to lower the tone and conduct a discreet dialogue." He threatened that, "if these declarations continue, Europe will not be able to be part of the diplomatic process."
Ferrero-Waldner appears to have been speaking out of school. Czech prime minister Topolanek said that the EU Council has yet to take a position on this matter. This is not the first brou-haha of this type. An earlier one occurred last January when a Czech spokesman said Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas rockets. The Czechs had just assumed the Presidency, but the EU had not made any such determination. However, there is no doubt that many in the EU (Czechs not included) would like to exert maximum pressure on Israel to accept a Palestinian state.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Anti-Zionism in France
The European Parliament, with representatives from the 27 member states of the EU, will hold elections next month. French performer Dieudonne has proposed an 'anti-Zionist list' of candidates to stand for these elections; according to this report, the French government is looking into ways to stop him. Whether they will succeed is unclear.
As to what constitutes 'anti-Zionist,' here's a sample of Dieudonne's thinking: "Behind every divorce, there is a Zionist, I am telling you. Behind everything that divides human nature, there is a Zionist. This is what we believe and this is what we are going to prove."
As to what constitutes 'anti-Zionist,' here's a sample of Dieudonne's thinking: "Behind every divorce, there is a Zionist, I am telling you. Behind everything that divides human nature, there is a Zionist. This is what we believe and this is what we are going to prove."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Suicide bombers in Iraq
There have been a series of successful suicide bomb attacks in Iraq in recent weeks, but here's one that wasn't. This fellow was attempting to blow up a crowd at a Shiite mosque in Kirkuk when what look like civilians (at least, they're not in uniform) wrestled him to the ground, explosives vest and all.
According to the report, the would-be bomber was Ammar Afif Hamada, close to Al Qaeda in Iraq commander Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, who himself was captured last week. I'm no expert, but it seems unusual to me that someone that high in the Al Qaeda command would be trying to blow himself up. Usually, underlings get that job. Either it's a sign of desperation, or he's misidentified. (Thanks to Jihad Watch.)
According to the report, the would-be bomber was Ammar Afif Hamada, close to Al Qaeda in Iraq commander Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, who himself was captured last week. I'm no expert, but it seems unusual to me that someone that high in the Al Qaeda command would be trying to blow himself up. Usually, underlings get that job. Either it's a sign of desperation, or he's misidentified. (Thanks to Jihad Watch.)
Islamic free speech
An international conference of Islamic legal experts has endorsed freedom of speech 'within certain legal restraints', as follows:
-- those views on personal or public matters are permitted which are beneficial to society and to the person communicating the views.
-- those views which do not abuse the dignity of others, which adhere to truth and objectivity, and which are not irresponsible.
-- the objective of those views should be the welfare of Muslims and the general public.
The conference aimed at non-Muslim as well as Muslim governments. The latter are called on to "persuade other countries to make laws to protect sacred religious symbols of Islam and stop distorting them in the name of freedom."
In other words, no freedom of expression if it involves anything that any Muslim can construe as critical, either of him or of his religion.
-- those views on personal or public matters are permitted which are beneficial to society and to the person communicating the views.
-- those views which do not abuse the dignity of others, which adhere to truth and objectivity, and which are not irresponsible.
-- the objective of those views should be the welfare of Muslims and the general public.
The conference aimed at non-Muslim as well as Muslim governments. The latter are called on to "persuade other countries to make laws to protect sacred religious symbols of Islam and stop distorting them in the name of freedom."
In other words, no freedom of expression if it involves anything that any Muslim can construe as critical, either of him or of his religion.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Free speech in second place
A Danish conference on free speech and against radicalization scheduled for this summer has been put on hold. The reason: the Danish government worries that Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders will attend and embarrass them by making use of his right to free speech.
The Danish foreign office wants to stall the conference until after December, when it is hosting a climate change conference. The officials worry that Wilders' presence might offend Muslim governments who would then boycott the conference. (Thanks to Jihad Watch.)
Ladies, next time you go to Copenhagen, be sure to throw a headscarf into your suitcase. By the time you get there, you might need it.
The Danish foreign office wants to stall the conference until after December, when it is hosting a climate change conference. The officials worry that Wilders' presence might offend Muslim governments who would then boycott the conference. (Thanks to Jihad Watch.)
Ladies, next time you go to Copenhagen, be sure to throw a headscarf into your suitcase. By the time you get there, you might need it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sharia in Denmark
A recent poll showed that some 18% of Muslims living in Denmark would like sharia law integrated into Danish law. Denmark already allows the use of so-called sharia loans that are interest-free.
The Danish Muslims are actually relatively restrained. In Great Britain, where some 61% of Muslims said they wanted sharia law introduced into UK law, sharia councils are already operating in cases involving private conflicts between Muslims, as well as in cases involving family and inheritance law.
The Danish Muslims are actually relatively restrained. In Great Britain, where some 61% of Muslims said they wanted sharia law introduced into UK law, sharia councils are already operating in cases involving private conflicts between Muslims, as well as in cases involving family and inheritance law.
Air Dhimmi
The UK airline BMI (formerly British Midlands) is plumbing the depths of flight 'etiquette'. It reportedly has removed Israel from the electronic maps displayed to passengers in some of its planes to avoid offending Muslim passengers. Khefa, the pre-independence Arabic name for Haifa, appears on the maps, as does Mecca.
In addition, an internal memo apparently states that, for flights bound for Saudi Arabia: “It is expected that female crew members will walk behind their male counterparts in public areas such as airports no matter what rank.”
A female flight attendant, Lisa Ashton, refused to abide by BMI’s policy. She was fired when she refused to travel to Saudi Arabia if she would be required to don an abaya (robe). (Thanks to Smooth Stone.)
In addition, an internal memo apparently states that, for flights bound for Saudi Arabia: “It is expected that female crew members will walk behind their male counterparts in public areas such as airports no matter what rank.”
A female flight attendant, Lisa Ashton, refused to abide by BMI’s policy. She was fired when she refused to travel to Saudi Arabia if she would be required to don an abaya (robe). (Thanks to Smooth Stone.)
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