Great Britain, recovering from the funeral of the Queen Mother yesterday, now has time to turn to other matters - such as Israel. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called on Israel to withdraw immediately from the PA-controlled areas. \"Israel\'s reaction to the international community\'s demand for a withdrawal from the Palestinian areas [sic] is insufficient,\" Straw stated.
Opposition head Ian Duncan-Smith does not agree. He presented Parliament today with the documents uncovered by Israel showing Yasser Arafat\'s direct financial backing for terrorists. \"Israel, like any other nation, has the right to protect its citizens,\" Duncan-Smith said, adding that the \"worst thing that could happen would be for Israel to withdraw from the areas it captured and then the terrorist attacks resume.\"
Australia\'s government will not follow England\'s lead, and does not demand Israel\'s withdrawal. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer stated that his country would also not recall its Ambassador from Tel Aviv. He said that both sides are responsible for the escalation.
The European Union Parliament voted today to suspend its trade agreement with Israel today. In addition, the EU will stop all arms sales to Israel. The vote was 269 to 208, with 22 abstentions.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will arrive in Israel tomorrow night, earlier than planned. He will meet the next day with Prime Minister Sharon, then with Labor leaders Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer and Foreign Minister Peres, and then with President Katzav. Israel has agreed to allow Powell to meet with Yasser Arafat on Saturday morning.
Opposition head Ian Duncan-Smith does not agree. He presented Parliament today with the documents uncovered by Israel showing Yasser Arafat\'s direct financial backing for terrorists. \"Israel, like any other nation, has the right to protect its citizens,\" Duncan-Smith said, adding that the \"worst thing that could happen would be for Israel to withdraw from the areas it captured and then the terrorist attacks resume.\"
Australia\'s government will not follow England\'s lead, and does not demand Israel\'s withdrawal. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer stated that his country would also not recall its Ambassador from Tel Aviv. He said that both sides are responsible for the escalation.
The European Union Parliament voted today to suspend its trade agreement with Israel today. In addition, the EU will stop all arms sales to Israel. The vote was 269 to 208, with 22 abstentions.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will arrive in Israel tomorrow night, earlier than planned. He will meet the next day with Prime Minister Sharon, then with Labor leaders Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer and Foreign Minister Peres, and then with President Katzav. Israel has agreed to allow Powell to meet with Yasser Arafat on Saturday morning.