US urges Israel to show restraint

[cal04]

The US has called on Israel to exercise restraint in its latest offensive against Palestinian militants in northern Gaza. The State Department said Israel should use only "proportional force" and urged it to avoid civilian casualties.

More than 40 Palestinians and three Israelis have died since the army's operation began on Wednesday. On Friday, Israel sent up to 100 tanks into northern Gaza, after the cabinet ordered a major military operation.

Early on Saturday, two Palestinians were reported killed and four injured in an air strike on the Jabaliya refugee camp. Officials said the two were members of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

The attack came hours after Israeli special forces reportedly killed one Palestinian north of the camp when they stopped a group of seven men from carrying out an attack on the Erez border crossing between Gaza and Israel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3708918.stm

[Darranar]

1. So are they actually going to do anything? n/t

[FlemingsGhost]

2. "You first." (n/t)

Dems

[mom cat]

3. Maybe we should take that advice!

[gottaB]

4. Bush: "I'm not exactly sure what you mean, 'passes the global test'"

Bush and Ereli need to talk.

MR. ERELI: I don't have any reaction to that last question. On the situation in Gaza, there are ongoing military operations in Gaza. Obviously, we understand that Israel has the right to defend itself. We've also noted with regret, reports of civilian casualties. We urge the Government of Israel to take every measure to ensure that only proportional force is used to counter the threats it faces. We urge Israel to avoid civilian casualties and minimize humanitarian consequences. These kinds of casualties can only make all of our efforts to achieve a durable peace more difficult.

QUESTION: And what do you mean by proportional force, proportional to what, in other words, one murder equals one --

MR. ERELI: No, I think that it's important, we think it's important, we've made it clear our view that it's important to avoid civilian casualties, to not target civilians, to minimize damage to innocent life and property. And it's understandable that if you're under attack by terrorists, you need to respond, but that response should be gauged at the terrorists and should not victimize innocents.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) that you're aware of? Civilians who aren't terrorists, I mean.

MR. ERELI: I -- no.

QUESTION: All right. I mean, I know you were speaking quickly and philosophically. But you're not suggesting that Israel has ever targeted --

MR. ERELI: I'm not suggesting anyone is targeting civilians. I'm suggesting that everyone should --

QUESTION: Anyone?

MR. ERELI: I'm not suggesting that one is targeting civilians.

QUESTION: Hamas doesn't target civilians?

MR. ERELI: I'm not suggesting that Israel is targeting civilians. What I am suggesting is that civilians should be -- harm to civilians should be avoided and all care should be taken to protect and respect civilian life and property.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2004/36689.htm

So what exactly does Ereli mean, "humanitarian consequences"?

[Wright Patman]

6. Has anyone thought about this?

Before the so-called Geneva Conventions were passed in the 20th Century, wars were mainly fought on battlefields and soldiers were the only ones or at least the overwhelming majority of those killed and wounded. I always think of the movie "Braveheart" and how they went to an open field somewhere. Even the kings and noblemen were on hand, although they weren't in the front lines.

Since the "rules of war" were established in said conventions, civilians have died in far greater numbers than actual combatants, including firebombing of whole cities in World War II along with the two atomic bombs.

Civilians in the U.S. seem all too eager to warmonger. One of these days karma is going to get them as well. The soldiers of the world are rapidly evening the score with the civilian "bystanders" and the "collateral damage" is only going to get worse.

As it was said, "Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind."

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. Restraint light.... how we showed restraint...... toward a nation that did

nothing to us. What should the countries do to nations that have bombed their citizens over and over again... what example have we set?

[beanball]

5. Wink,wink,wink.

yeah Sharon just keep on keeping on.(the tail is still wagging the dog).

[jmcgowanjm]

8. The US/Israeli/British will soon run out of soft targets

http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/spencer04.htm

The problem for Israel will come when the US is driven
out of Iraq

And the oil tankers stop arriving in Haifa.

[SilverSurfer]

9. They just need to calm down.

We can't hae pallestinians getting blown to pieces every day, we need to find a road to peace and fast.

[ReadTomPaine]

10. After all, the elections are only a month off, then it's open season!

... for both the US and Israel.

RTP