Major Western Nations Urge More Pressure for Gaza Ceasefire
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United States and major EU nations called Monday for more pressure to get a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the French presidency said, as a conflict that has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians rages on.
The leaders of the United States, Germany, France, Britain and Italy "agreed to redouble their efforts to obtain a ceasefire. Pressure must increase to get there," the French presidency said.
It issued its statement after President Barack Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister David Cameron and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi held phone calls to establish their joint position.
World powers have for days been ramping up pressure on the warring sides to end the 21-day conflict, with the United States and United Nations calling for an "immediate ceasefire".
But while Israel and Hamas had implemented temporary, hours-long ceasefires, efforts to secure a longer-term mutual truce have proved unsuccessful.
"The deterioration of the situation just plays into the hands of extremists," the presidency said in a statement.
28 July 2014, 11:25
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He also stressed the need to "ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza," while reiterating "serious and growing concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives.
See this is the type of Israeli produced rhetoric that kind of null and voids everything else Obama has to say about the matter. If you call someone a terrorist then don't cry over their attacks. If you de militarise gaza you need to condition it with fair and just actions by Israel. When first formed, the British agreement was that there be a quota on Jewish migration but the Israelis did like that and attacked British installations. That was ok not " terrorism". And all Obama can do is express concern. Good to see the Jewish dollars at work.
28 July 2014, 11:57
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Forces, I understand your position. But you should consider the fact that in the 1930s and 40s Jews were being persecuted and sent to concentration camps. America didn't want to take all of them, whatever the reasons may be. Many Jews were going to Palestine since the late 1800s. As for the Jewish dollars at work, you're absolutely right. However, Gaza does need to be demilitarised. Hamas is the only excuse Israel has to indiscriminately attack the Palestinians. Hamas does not represent the Gazans, they use them and don't even shelter them.
28 July 2014, 12:05
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Nick agree with you however with Israel grabbing land and clearly not interested in a two state solution they are in fact giving Hamas legitimacy. That is all I am saying.
28 July 2014, 12:08
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They may be giving Hamas legitimacy, but Hamas is giving itself illegitimacy. They're making unreasonable demands. Lift the blockade on Gaza, are you kidding me? You think Israel is gonna allow Hamas to bring in whatever it wants from the sea?
28 July 2014, 12:20
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I am of the opinion that in a two state solution the Palestinians would prosper economically and their quality of life would improve thus less reliance on military agression, having said this they do have a right to claim back their territories and self defence. This would result in any future agression being looked down on by the international community and threats of sanctions or Israel agression in self defence being supported. They need to be able to control their own destiny not be subdued in a way that breeds hatred.
28 July 2014, 12:47
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Southern, what about the Battle of Gaza in 2007, in which Hamas fought with Fatah? "Hamas militants seized several Fatah members and threw one of them, Mohammed Sweirki, an officer in the elite Palestinian Presidential Guard, off the top of the tallest building in Gaza, a 15-story apartment building." Sound familiar? Spare me the democratically-elected nonsense. They won the elections by blackmailing the Gazans.
28 July 2014, 12:57
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So Hamas blackmailing the Gazans and kicking out Fatah makes me a Mossad agent. Got your psychosis meds?
28 July 2014, 12:13
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This article is absolutely true. Israelis don't want a two-state solution, it's the Americans. And they're using Hamas as an excuse to avoid talking peace, which is what I've said many times. If they eliminate Hamas, pressure will be back on Israel to re-enter the peace talks. I believe in a two-state solution because I'm American. What Israelis believe is something else.
28 July 2014, 12:40
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I still think some US senators that are usually extremely vocal but such things are nowhere to be seen and can only put it down to AIPAC. I think that is how it is spelt.
28 July 2014, 12:48
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Yes it is AIPAC, American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, it's the Pro-Israel lobby.
28 July 2014, 21:49
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I stand corrected bigjohn, Hamas blackmailed West Bankers* not Gazans. No, still they blackmailed a few Gazans too. Then Hamas did a cross-border raid and captured an Israeli soldier, then Israel arrested all the Hamas officials, some of which were moderates who urged Hamas to recognise Israel.
