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Deputy FM: Israel-EU ties to fray without compromise on settlements
Reuters
Published: 25.10.13, 10:20
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81 Talkbacks for this article
1. Chronically underperforming
Prosecco   (10.25.13)
Israeli Diplomacy was continuously destroyed in last decades. The last 2 nails in the coffin were Chairman Lieberman and Grossmeister Elkin. Both have no qualifications to do any job in the government especially to lead Foreign affairs. Diplomacy is a tough job for clever people that need to deal with complex situations, smart counterparts and enemies too. Lieberman and Elkin probably see the job as burning the bridges instead of building them. There is no excuse to failing FM that create further isolation of Israel. This is job is about foresee and solving the problem. The blame on tough counterparts can work in military, not in diplomacy or intelligence. As far as Ministry is running by amateurs that not really welcome abroad, the failures continue.
2. Israel should ban the EU from operating in Judea and Samaria
Zev ,   Israel   (10.25.13)
3. Elkin and Horizon 2020
Robin   (10.25.13)
lol! Europe must be extremely frightened due to Israel refuse to accept their money! This is what happens when someone loose the contact with the reality! Elkin could deal tomorrow alone with the Iranians! And the Europeans will regret deeply for not helping us!
4. How stupid can Europe be?
Israeli 2   (10.25.13)
5. We want want want
Reuven ,   Netanya   (10.25.13)
Seems we are begging to get a piece of that horizon's cake...so if you want it so dearly then we should comply with whatever the demands are. If you don't want that piece of the cake, what is all the fuss about. Bad politics leads to situations like these, the dog comes back to bite you in your behind ... deal with it and stop whining. Time to relocate the settlers or leave them behind!!!
6. Drift away fm 21st century decliners TOWARD ascenders
Cyberbrain ,   Israel   (10.25.13)
slowly, but perceptibly, toward China, Brazil and India.
7. Religious Fanaticism over Scientific Progress.
David Clarke ,   Liverpool, England.   (10.25.13)
It saddens me to think that the diplomatic relations between Europe and Israel, as well as the deep Scientific cooperation and progress that could be accomplished as a result of Horizon 2020, could be scuppered simply because the government of Israel values protecting right-wing extremists and messianic religious fanatics in their West Bank trailer parks more than they value Scientific progress.
8. No foriegn policy failure
tom ,   new york   (10.25.13)
It was the EU that attacked Israel. 1st there was an attack on Kosher slaughter ( while allowing hunting ), then attacking circumcision. Europeans turn a blind eye while Turkey occupies 1/2 of Cyprus , 100,000 Syrians are killed , Kurds are denied national rights . This is just an excuse , what will happen when an El Al Jet is shot down or a missile hits a school and Israel will retaliate ? Israel will have to agree with the boycott of settlement goods , invest in producing jets to keep from losing scientists . Israel also is under no obligation to provide Palestinians with work , free electricity , and hospital care . Arabs who don't serve in the army should work or lose welfare .
9. # 5 Reuven no cake without the Jewish brains.
BUILD BABY BUILD ,   United States   (10.25.13)
Settlers aren't going anywhere and neither is Horizon without Jewish know how and brains. The European's can go to hell they did NOTHING to save 6 million European Jews. Let them eat cake. KEEP BUILDING!!!!! MORE JEWS ARE COMING HOME !!!!!
10. # 1 You forgot to add obama
BUILD BABY BUILD ,   United States   (10.25.13)
No one has done more to destroy and annoy both friends are foes than has obama. We LOVE Lieberman one of the few politicians with guts. As far as Europe or any pro Islamic idiots, they can all go to hell in a hand basket. They can never wash the Jewish blood from their collective hands. As far as isolation PLEASE do isolate Israel she'll be better off without all the vile anti semitism that stems from the support of a non people the terrorist pals, such as yourself. ISRAEL'S BUSY BUILDING BABY !!!!!
11. Europe can well do without anything....
Robert ,   Australia   (10.25.13)
....Israel has to offer.
12. #6 Because of the close military ties
Sarah B ,   Tel Aviv/London   (10.25.13)
with the United States Israel cannot for political reasons move towards the East. However much you think you can. I cannot see China paying Israel billions, when it's foothold in the Middle East is a country you might of heard of, Iran.
13. europe is becoming irrelevant
CJK   (10.25.13)
what has europe given to israel in the past few decades. the big exception is germany which sold subs to israel.\ the others have bullied and harassed the jewish state, especially since the obama presidency.
14. Once the separation takes place, and
(10.25.13)
15. No. 7
JtC ,   Nir Eliyahu / Jhb   (10.25.13)
So what saddens you should concern any of us? Get real dude. Rather be saddened by the fact that Liverpool FC have yet to regain their former footballing glory they once enjoyed. Did and Brit lament the expulsion and massacres of the Jews from England? Did any Brit lament the shiploads of persecuted starved Jews praying for a safe haven in then-Palestine who were barred from entry by a foreign brutal British occupying force, who were also sent back to the genocidal nazi dogs? I can name many more instances... Does and Brit lament the current 'New Antisemitism' in Britain and elsewhere in Europe? Please try put all of this in perspective, gain some actual insight...
16. 12 do not worry about us
CJK   (10.25.13)
especially since you fail to understand the issue.
17. The normal decent people of Israel
Sarah B ,   Tel Aviv/London   (10.25.13)
are being held hostage by a group of religious zealots who do very nicely by pretending to be settlers. Make no mistake as Israel moves away from the European Union and becomes increasingly reliant on the United States who in turn continue their moves to the pacific rim. And with it the decline in Israel's economy that will come with less US and EU investment. These so called Israelis will be on the first plane back to Brooklyn Heights with their American passports
18. #13 CJK
Sarah B ,   Tel Aviv/London   (10.25.13)
Europe has given a lot of Israelis a second passport so they could leave Israel. Or have the option to leave Israel. And normal decent Israelis will leave rather than be held hostage by the settlers. Because lets make this as clear as possible, Israel cannot survive economically without trade with the European Union, and anybody who suggests they can, does not understand economics.
19. Europe is history
Johnny ,   Nazareth   (10.25.13)
declining society and governments ! Israel must seek relations with India, China and Russia, These countries are the future business not Europe who is falling apart!
20. Once the separation takes place
PaulD ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.25.13)
and all the Jews, who haven't assimilated into the deranged culture, leaves. G-d can do what he has been wanting to do to these criminal, sadistic nations. May we all live to see it.
21. European should start with themselves
John ,   Herzlia, Israel   (10.25.13)
The European countries condemn and boycott Israel but should first look at themselves: 1. In the schools in Holland the children are till today proudly taught how Holland conquered and occupies till today the Southern provinces in wars against France, much longer ago that 1967. 2. England occupies the Falklands and Gibraltar. 3. Spain occupies Baskenland and parts of Morocco! 4. Parts of Poland is occupied since 1945 by European countries. 5. EU member Turkey occupied part of EU member Cyprus. Let the EU first boycot their own member countries.
22. israelis need to stop and think
ky   (10.25.13)
Empty threats will not solve anything. The nature of technology is that it eventually spreads to all corners of the world regardless of ownership. simply because of the nature of trade and commerce. We live in a changing world that grows smaller by the day but Israels political climate is stuck in a time warp by consistently electing the likes of Netanyahu to be frank a leader that has absolutely no appeal to any one outside of Israel except a few thousand orthodox Jews. Israels popularity was at its peak when led by Golda and Moshe two secular leaders who never let religion cloud their horizon. and were able to unite the whole diaspora
23. Europeans also have principles
Michael ,   Haifa   (10.25.13)
I somehow doubt that they are going to suffer much for standing on their principles of not acceeding to land theft.
24. To: No. 11
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (10.25.13)
Really? Keep In mind that every computer, laptop and mobile phone in use in Europe utilizes Israeli patented and licensed technology. I'm not at all certain that the Europeans are willing to give up their toys, and I am very certain that the Europeans are not interested in time-consuming patent violation lawsuits. For that matter, I suggest that you ask cancer patients throughout Europe if they are willing to give up their life-saving chemotherapy protocols, nearly all of which were developed in Israel. You can imitate, but you cannot duplicate -- and being an ill cancer patient does not give you the right to violate a patent. Cease and desist means cease and desist, and medical institutions will not open themselves to endless lawsuits. Perhaps the ersatz "Palestinians" can step in and pick up the slack, eh? Two tin cans and a string will make a dandy phone, I'm sure. And perhaps they can proffer some herbal remedies to cure cancer. If not, perhaps the odd naked aborigine can help, what do you think? Given the fact that aborigines in Australia constitute the world's single largest ethnic group of alcoholics -- probably not. Right. Israel has nothing to offer. Oh, you foolish, unworldly and ignorant boy! Buy a didgeridoo and do something genuinely Aussie for a change. Your Israel-bashing has caused you to make a very predictable fool of yourself. Idiot.
25. go boy go!!
rodolfo ,   BOYNTON BEACH   (10.25.13)
very good Elkin, someone has to tell it to them. They think they are aloof and just, crooked bastards! they should take the palestinians into THEIR countries and eat shit!!
26. 21. Wrong John
On the Balcony   (10.25.13)
1. The rules between nations have changed since Colonial days. 2. the people of the Falklands and Gibraltar CHOOSE to maintain their current political status 3. Morocco and Spain have agreed to settle their centuries old territorial disputes by negotiation 4. Poland's territorial disputes preceded 1945; some have been settled and others are being negotiated 5. Turkey is NOT a member of the EU and its occupation of part of Cyprus is one of the reasons; Cyprus was home to both Turks and Greeks who have segregated themselves from each other and are not engaged in hostilities. All of these cases are subject to resolution by negotiation. In none of these disputes is one identifiable people being militarily occupied and ruled against their will by another.
27. What's behind it:
Jules   (10.25.13)
... Europe cannot survive without Arab oil.
28. To John, Herzlia.
David Clarke ,   Liverpool, England   (10.25.13)
John your history and Geography are a bit off, just a few pointers; 1, First of all the Southern provinces you speak of are part of Belgium presently as the French speaking autonomous region of Wallonia, not the Netherlands. 2, Gibraltar and the Falklands, whilst acquired in the colonial era, the residents expressly wish to remain British rather than join Spain and Argentina respectively. 3, Ceuta and Melilla, whilst acquired in the colonial era wish to remain part of Spain and is recognized as part of Spain by every country on Earth including Morocco. 4, Whilst You are right about the illegal Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus, Turkey is not a member of the EU and the area which it occupies is predominantly populated by Turkish Cypriots, the occupation is being resolved between Greece, Turkey and Cyprus as part of Turkeys desire to join the EU by 2020, it will not join the EU unless it ends the occupation. 5, The EU is not boycotting Israel, it is boycotting the West Bank Settlements, they are not and ave never been recognized as part of Israel by anybody but the religious Zealots that populate them.
29. To JtC, Nir Eliyahu
David Clarke ,   Liverpool, England   (10.25.13)
What on Earth have British policy in Mandate Palestine and Liverpool FC got to do with present day EU-Israel relations?. The fact is that Horizon 2020 is far more important for Israel Diplomatically and Scientifically than building apartments for religious Zealots and right-wing extremists in Kiriyat Arba. Stop with the constant whining about History, we live in the present day, criticism of West Bank policy is not Antisemitism it is the EU advising its close friend Israel that it is going down the wrong path.
30. # 1
Jules   (10.25.13)
Lieberman has "no qualifications" ? That's a very funny statement from your part. FYI: Lieberman has a degree from the Jewish University (Jerusalem) in Political Science and International relations.
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