-Caveat Lector- THE TELEGRAPH Jewish state fears world isolation By Inigo Gilmore in Jerusalem (Filed: 15/10/2004)
An internal report prepared by Israel's foreign ministry paints a gloomy picture for the future of the country's global standing, giving warning that in the coming decade it could suffer the pariah status of South Africa under apartheid. The document, written in August and leaked this week, suggests that Israel and Europe will find themselves on a collision course that will cause serious economic and diplomatic damage to Israel. It describes a scenario in which an increasingly influential European Union, with a widening membership, may seek to isolate Israel, even if it still has strong backing from America. "In extreme circumstances this could put Israel on a collision course with the EU," the report says. "Such a collision course holds the risk of Israel losing international legitimacy and could lead to its isolation, in the manner of South Africa. "The EU could sharpen its expectation that Israel comply with international norms and honour the authority of the United Nations and its agencies - an issue that has the potential of leading to friction." EU officials have recently been highly critical of Israel's construction of a so-called security barrier in the West Bank and its bloody incursions into Gaza. This is at odds with US backing from the most pro-Israel administration in more than a generation. Foreign ministry officials are concerned that the pendulum may swing against Israel as the EU pushes to become a global player at the expense of America, Israel's main ally. The fear is that in light of continuing criticism of its policies a more powerful Europe could weaken Israel's position. The report also raises the prospect of a rise of a new form of anti-Semitism in Europe, which would question Israel's legitimacy as a sovereign Jewish state. In November last year, in response to a European Commission survey, the Israeli foreign ministry described Israel's image as having fallen to an all-time low. It said Israel was seen as an aggressive country, with policies dictated by a small group of militant settlers. There was uproar in Israel when the European Commission found that 59 per cent of Europeans thought Israel was a greater threat to world peace than North Korea, Iran or Afghanistan. www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
