The European Union on the world stage
In economic, trade and monetary terms, the European Union has become a major world power. It has considerable influence within international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the specialist branches of the United Nations (UN) and at world summits on the environment and development.
Some have described the EU as an economic giant but a ‘political dwarf’. This is an exaggeration. Nevertheless, it is true that the EU member states have a long way to go, in diplomatic and political terms, before they can speak with one voice on major issues like peace and stability, terrorism, the Middle East, relations with the United States and the role of the UN Security Council. The EU countries retain full national sovereignty over their armed forces. Their defence systems are firmly in the hands of the national governments, and the only ties between them are those forged within alliances such as NATO.
An embryonic common defence policy
The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), provided for in the Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties, define the EU’s main tasks in the area of defence. On this basis, the EU has developed its ‘second pillar’ – the policy domain in which action is decided by inter-governmental agreement and in which the Commission and Parliament play only a minor role. Decisions in this domain are taken by consensus, allowing individual states to abstain.
In the early 21st century, the EU’s political and strategic landscape looks like this:
With Russia following the path of friendship with the western world, and the former Communist countries of central and eastern Europe joining NATO and the EU almost simultaneously, more than half a century of Cold War is well and truly behind us. The continent of Europe is becoming peacefully united, and European countries are working together to fight international crime such as people smuggling and money laundering. The EU has formed an organised partnership with its large neighbours, such as Russia and the Ukraine, which have no prospect of joining the European Union – at least in the medium term.
The EU member states want to establish a European Security and Defence Policy in accordance with the Treaties. In December 1999, the Helsinki European Council set the EU a specific objective: to be able, by 2003, to deploy within 60 days a force of up to 60 000 troops, with naval and air support, and to sustain it for at least one year. This rapid reaction force is not a ‘European army’: it is made up of contingents from the national armed forces. But it is coordinated by a Political and Security Committee (PSC), a Military Committee (EUMC) and a military staff (EUMS), under the authority of the Council and located in Brussels. This give the Union a political and military tool for carrying out certain specific types of task – humanitarian and rescue missions outside Europe, peace-keeping operations and other crisis management tasks including peacemaking.
The United States accepts that, for military action in which America does not want to be involved, Europe can use some of NATO’s logistical capacity such as its intelligence, communications, command and transport capabilities.
Actual defence and deterrence capabilities, such as the nuclear weapons owned by France and the United Kingdom, remain under national control. As military technology becomes ever more sophisticated and expensive, EU governments will find it increasingly necessary to work together on arms manufacture. Moreover, if their armed forces are to carry out joint missions, their systems must be interoperable and their equipment sufficiently standardised.
The attacks on Washington and New York on 11 September 2001, and the terrorist violence that has struck many parts of the world since then, have profoundly altered the strategic landscape. European countries are working more closely together to exchange information that will help prevent such attacks. Since the fight against terrorism is a global priority, Europe today is going beyond its traditional alliances, working not only with the United States but also with many other countries around the world to support democracy and human rights.
Given this shifting strategic landscape, the European Union is trying to find the right balance between its different national traditions in the field of security and defence policy.
"“If I want to talk to Europe, who do I phone?”"
The proposed EU Constitution would create the post of EU Foreign Affairs Minister, thus giving Europe a much clearer identity. The Foreign Minister would be empowered to speak for the Union in the international arena and would be a member of the European Commission as well as the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This would answer the question famously asked by Henry Kissinger in the 1970s: “If I want to talk to Europe, who do I phone?”
The Treaty of Amsterdam also tried to set up a procedure introducing enough flexibility into the CFSP area. ‘Enhanced cooperation’ would enable a group of countries to go ahead with action in which other member states did not wish to be involved – because of their tradition of neutrality, for example.
The trouble with this apparently pragmatic solution is that the cohesiveness of the Union as a whole and its credibility on the world stage would be undermined if European foreign policy became a matter of ‘variable geometry’. Moreover, there would be an increased risk of breaking the link between the EU’s internal policies (managing the single market, competition policy, economic and monetary union, internal security, etc.) and its external policies (trade, development aid, diplomacy and defence).
For the future, it is essential that Europeans act in unison and have a policy that is clear for all to see. The EU countries need to speak with one voice, to show determination in defending their major interests and resolute solidarity in safeguarding their peoples’ destiny.
Europe open to the world
The completion of the single market in 1993 affected the EU’s trade policy. The import restrictions that EU countries had been allowed to maintain were steadily abolished, as was the internal distribution of ‘sensitive’ imports such as textiles, steel, cars and electronic goods. Once the WTO had been set up, at Europe’s instigation, it provided a permanent forum within which to settle trade disputes through multilateral negotiation.
The average weighted level of customs duties on industrial goods entering the European Union is less than 5%. The EU and its world trading partners have agreed new rules on trade in services and agricultural products. The discussions on agriculture clearly revealed the divergent views of producers on either side of the Atlantic. Because the EU presented a united front in these talks, it was able to mount an effective defence of its member states’ viewpoint.
The EU is a single trading bloc, and it is home to nearly half a billion consumers, with a relatively high average level of income. As such, it is a very attractive market for exporters in other countries. The EU can use this influence to persuade its trading partners to keep to the rules of the game – rules that ensure healthy competition and fair and equal access to one another’s markets.
An important partner within the industrialised world
From the United States’ point of view, the new Europe now under construction is an ally that shares the same values but also a competitor in trade and technology. The NATO alliance, which brings together the US and many EU countries, has helped mitigate the impact of trans-Atlantic trade disputes over farm produce, steel and the aerospace industry.
Towards the end of the 20th century, dramatic events – particularly the end of the Cold War – transformed the world of international politics. In these new circumstances, the members of NATO are having to re-define their relationship. Euro-American cooperation needs new objectives. The allies must work together to tackle new dangers: nuclear proliferation, international terrorism, international crime such as drug trafficking, and so on. In terms of trade and investment, the European Union is the United States’ main partner and the only one with which it enjoys a stable relationship. However, Europe has to contend with a certain tendency in the US Congress to resort to unilateral action that may threaten Europe’s global interests.
Relations between the EU and the Mediterranean countries
Only a short distance from Europe, on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, are countries with which the EU has historical and cultural ties. There has been a good deal of migration between the two regions, and there is potential for much more. So these countries are very important partners for the EU, which has traditionally chosen to pursue a policy of Mediterranean regional integration.
The EU’s Mediterranean neighbours were among the first to establish special economic and trading relations with the Union. In November 1995, a major conference was held in Barcelona, attended by all the EU member states and the countries bordering the Mediterranean (except for Libya, Albania and the countries that once formed Yugoslavia). This conference laid the foundations for a new Euro-Mediterranean partnership, involving:
Political dialogue between the participating countries and a security partnership based, in particular, on mechanisms for arms control and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Stepping up economic and trading relations between the two regions. The key to this is the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010, in compliance with WTO rules. Once this happens, manufactured goods can be traded, duty free, on the trans-Mediterranean market, which will become the biggest free trade area in the world, embracing up to 800 million consumers.
Partnership in social, cultural and similar fields.
Under the MEDA programme, the EU is granting the Mediterranean countries financial assistance worth €5.3 billion over the period 2000-2006.
Africa
Relations between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa go back a long way. With the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the former colonies and overseas territories of some EEC member states became the Community’s associates. Decolonisation, which began in the early 1960s, turned this link into a different kind of association – an association between sovereign countries.
The Cotonou Agreement, signed in June 2000 in the capital of Benin, marked a new stage in the EU’s development policy. The Agreement, between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, is the most ambitious and far-reaching trade and aid agreement ever concluded between developed and developing countries. It followed on from the Lomé Convention – originally signed in 1975 in the capital of Togo and subsequently updated at regular intervals.
The basic aim of the Agreement remains the same as that of the Lomé Convention: “to promote and expedite the economic, cultural and social development of the ACP states and to consolidate and diversify their relations [with the European Union and its member states] in a spirit of solidarity and mutual interest”.
The focus of Lomé was on trade relations and market access: the Cotonou Agreement has a broader scope. For example, it introduces new procedures for dealing with human rights abuses.
The European Union has granted special trading concessions to the least developed countries, 39 of which are signatories to the Agreement. As of 2005, they can export practically any type of product to the EU, duty free.
The European Development Fund finances the ACP programmes from a budget of €13.5 billion over a seven-year period. This is in addition to €9.5 billion left over from the previous funds and €1.7 billion lent by the European Investment Bank.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
HAMAS TO TALK TO EU ABOUT PEACE
LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS IT WILL BE THE EU THAT MAKES THE FINAL 7 YR CONTRACT OF PEACE WITH ISRAEL ARABS AND MANY. HAMAS WANTS TO DEAL WITH THE EU IN TALKS.
Palestinian Authority incoming premier supports talks with international Mideast mediators Posted: 27-03-2006 , 11:42 GMT
The Palestinian Authority's incoming premier stated Monday his Hamas-led government was prepared to hold talks with international Mideast mediators, though he insisted that Hamas would not bow to economic pressures to change its stances towards Israel.
The so-called Quartet - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - has been demanding that Hamas disarm, recognize Israel and accept past Israeli-Palestinian accords. "The government is ready for dialogue with the Quartet," Ismail Haniyeh told parliament.
"The European Union has provided a lot of aid to our people, and supported our right for freedom. ... We are interested in strong relations with Europe." "But at the same time we expect the European Union to review some of its policies toward the conflict," he added. The Hamas formed cabinet is due to be sworn later this week.
In his speech, Haniyeh attacked the American decision to cut off aid to the government, adding Washington should respect election results. "The U.S. administration, which calls for democracy, is invited to support the Palestinian choice, rather than imposing a siege, and it is required to fulfill its obligations and pledges for an independent state," he said. "Those who believe
that economic pressures will force our government into submission are wrong."
In a bid to ease fears that aid to the government would be directed to fund attacks on Israel, Haniyeh vowed to create a transparent financial system so donors would be certain that their financial assistance was used for development and welfare purposes."All the money that will be provided to our people and the Palestinian Authority will go in the right destination," he promised.
"Our government will provide all mechanisms for all donors to monitor the spending of the money and to be sure it will be spent the right way. Any state providing a penny, we have no problem for it to come and monitor the spending."Haniyeh also vowed to channel money to projects to develop the economy, alleviate poverty, reduce unemployment and develop economic ties with the Arab and Islamic world as well as Europe.
Outlining the main points of his government's program, Haniyeh cited "the defense of the right of our people to defend themselves in the face of the occupation, the elimination of the settlements, the apartheid wall and the right to continue the struggle for the creation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Haniye added that his government rejected the unilateral separation plan which has been presented up by Israeli acting premier Ehud Olmert, saying it would "turn our country into isolated cantons."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (http://www.albawaba.com/)
Palestinian Authority incoming premier supports talks with international Mideast mediators Posted: 27-03-2006 , 11:42 GMT
The Palestinian Authority's incoming premier stated Monday his Hamas-led government was prepared to hold talks with international Mideast mediators, though he insisted that Hamas would not bow to economic pressures to change its stances towards Israel.
The so-called Quartet - the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - has been demanding that Hamas disarm, recognize Israel and accept past Israeli-Palestinian accords. "The government is ready for dialogue with the Quartet," Ismail Haniyeh told parliament.
"The European Union has provided a lot of aid to our people, and supported our right for freedom. ... We are interested in strong relations with Europe." "But at the same time we expect the European Union to review some of its policies toward the conflict," he added. The Hamas formed cabinet is due to be sworn later this week.
In his speech, Haniyeh attacked the American decision to cut off aid to the government, adding Washington should respect election results. "The U.S. administration, which calls for democracy, is invited to support the Palestinian choice, rather than imposing a siege, and it is required to fulfill its obligations and pledges for an independent state," he said. "Those who believe
that economic pressures will force our government into submission are wrong."
In a bid to ease fears that aid to the government would be directed to fund attacks on Israel, Haniyeh vowed to create a transparent financial system so donors would be certain that their financial assistance was used for development and welfare purposes."All the money that will be provided to our people and the Palestinian Authority will go in the right destination," he promised.
"Our government will provide all mechanisms for all donors to monitor the spending of the money and to be sure it will be spent the right way. Any state providing a penny, we have no problem for it to come and monitor the spending."Haniyeh also vowed to channel money to projects to develop the economy, alleviate poverty, reduce unemployment and develop economic ties with the Arab and Islamic world as well as Europe.
Outlining the main points of his government's program, Haniyeh cited "the defense of the right of our people to defend themselves in the face of the occupation, the elimination of the settlements, the apartheid wall and the right to continue the struggle for the creation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Haniye added that his government rejected the unilateral separation plan which has been presented up by Israeli acting premier Ehud Olmert, saying it would "turn our country into isolated cantons."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (http://www.albawaba.com/)
Friday, March 24, 2006
PEACE IN ONE YEAR
Israel-Palestinian peace deal possible within year: Abbas
Fri Mar 24, 4:07 AM ET
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said a peace agreement with Israel could be a year away.
"I am convinced that within less than a year, we will be able to sign an agreement," he was quoted as saying by the liberal Haaretz newspaper on Friday. He said he had discussed with Washington and former Israeli premier Shimon Peres, number two on the governing Kadima party's election list, the idea of opening secret talks even without radical group Hamas renouncing violence.
"I proposed to Peres and the Americans to open a back channel of talks, far from the spotlight," he was quoted as saying by Haaretz. Abbas and Peres met in Jordan earlier this month, when the Palestinian leader emphasised his desire for a resumption of stalled peace negotiations.
Abbas also used the interview to criticise Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's intentions to fix the borders of Israel unilaterally, should no Palestinian partner materialise, provided his Kadima party wins Tuesday's vote.
"Olmert's plan may bring about a 10-year hudna (tactical truce) and a state with temporary borders. But it will not bring you peace," Abbas said. He did not rule out a territorial swap under a negotiated accord, which would allow Israel to retain some Jewish settlements in the occupied
West Bank' He reiterated that as Palestinian Authority' president he had the people's mandate to negotiate with Israel and that future talks, regardless of Hamas, would be led by the Palestine Liberation Organisation that he leads.
Its executive committee on Wednesday demanded that the radical Islamist faction change its political platform and recognise the PLO's supremacy."If we reach an agreement, I will be the one to sign it. If needed, I will put it to a referendum," Abbas was quoted as saying by Haaretz.
Fri Mar 24, 4:07 AM ET
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said a peace agreement with Israel could be a year away.
"I am convinced that within less than a year, we will be able to sign an agreement," he was quoted as saying by the liberal Haaretz newspaper on Friday. He said he had discussed with Washington and former Israeli premier Shimon Peres, number two on the governing Kadima party's election list, the idea of opening secret talks even without radical group Hamas renouncing violence.
"I proposed to Peres and the Americans to open a back channel of talks, far from the spotlight," he was quoted as saying by Haaretz. Abbas and Peres met in Jordan earlier this month, when the Palestinian leader emphasised his desire for a resumption of stalled peace negotiations.
Abbas also used the interview to criticise Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's intentions to fix the borders of Israel unilaterally, should no Palestinian partner materialise, provided his Kadima party wins Tuesday's vote.
"Olmert's plan may bring about a 10-year hudna (tactical truce) and a state with temporary borders. But it will not bring you peace," Abbas said. He did not rule out a territorial swap under a negotiated accord, which would allow Israel to retain some Jewish settlements in the occupied
West Bank' He reiterated that as Palestinian Authority' president he had the people's mandate to negotiate with Israel and that future talks, regardless of Hamas, would be led by the Palestine Liberation Organisation that he leads.
Its executive committee on Wednesday demanded that the radical Islamist faction change its political platform and recognise the PLO's supremacy."If we reach an agreement, I will be the one to sign it. If needed, I will put it to a referendum," Abbas was quoted as saying by Haaretz.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
RABBI AGAINST LAND FOR PEACE
The only way Israel can hold off the prophecies from being fulfilled is to have a Godly leader that stands up for the Torah and Bible (Tanakh). Like this Rabbi wants, unfortunately it will fail and land for peace will be done. All the prophecies have to be fulfilled in this generation, so if they do come together against land for peace, all the better.
The only way is that Israel goes by what God says and does no land for peace deals and wont even associate with anybody who insistes on Land for peace. And Israel has to take back the Temple Mount and not let the Wafq control it. So the 3RD TEMPLE can be rebuilt like the Bible says it has to be before the 7 yr treaty is signed.
By Hillel Fendel Arutz -7 News
A group of rabbis has turned to all the religious and hareidi parties, asking them to sign a commitment now that they will not join any government whose guidelines include giving away land.
The group is led by Rabbi David Druckman of Kiryat Motzkin and the Pikuach Nefesh [Saving Lives] organization. The rabbis have issued a call to the public: Don't vote for a party that does not offer this guarantee. The rabbis explain that the goal is to prevent a repetition of the situation of the recent government term, whereby right-wing parties were partners in the Sharon government.
A letter was sent to Shas, United Torah Judaism, Jewish Front (Baruch Marzel), and National Union-National Religious Party, asking them to sign on the dotted line.
The declaration states:
"We the undersigned declare that we will not join - under any circumstances, nor for any material or spiritual promises - a government whose guidelines include partial or full agreement to the Road Map or to any other plan that includes giving away Jewish communities or any territory of the Land of Israel to foreigners, or to autonomy for Arabs in the Land of Israel - and all this even in exchange for peace agreements."
Rabbi Druckman told Arutz-7's Ruti Avraham that as of now, only Marzel's party has signed.
The National Union/NRP list addressed this question in the merger agreement it signed last month. The agreement states that if, within the next two years, the question of whether or not to join the coalition arises, an independent panel is to make the final decision. The panel is to comprise six members: two appointed by each party, and former Chief Rabbis Shapira and
Eliyahu.
The only way is that Israel goes by what God says and does no land for peace deals and wont even associate with anybody who insistes on Land for peace. And Israel has to take back the Temple Mount and not let the Wafq control it. So the 3RD TEMPLE can be rebuilt like the Bible says it has to be before the 7 yr treaty is signed.
By Hillel Fendel Arutz -7 News
A group of rabbis has turned to all the religious and hareidi parties, asking them to sign a commitment now that they will not join any government whose guidelines include giving away land.
The group is led by Rabbi David Druckman of Kiryat Motzkin and the Pikuach Nefesh [Saving Lives] organization. The rabbis have issued a call to the public: Don't vote for a party that does not offer this guarantee. The rabbis explain that the goal is to prevent a repetition of the situation of the recent government term, whereby right-wing parties were partners in the Sharon government.
A letter was sent to Shas, United Torah Judaism, Jewish Front (Baruch Marzel), and National Union-National Religious Party, asking them to sign on the dotted line.
The declaration states:
"We the undersigned declare that we will not join - under any circumstances, nor for any material or spiritual promises - a government whose guidelines include partial or full agreement to the Road Map or to any other plan that includes giving away Jewish communities or any territory of the Land of Israel to foreigners, or to autonomy for Arabs in the Land of Israel - and all this even in exchange for peace agreements."
Rabbi Druckman told Arutz-7's Ruti Avraham that as of now, only Marzel's party has signed.
The National Union/NRP list addressed this question in the merger agreement it signed last month. The agreement states that if, within the next two years, the question of whether or not to join the coalition arises, an independent panel is to make the final decision. The panel is to comprise six members: two appointed by each party, and former Chief Rabbis Shapira and
Eliyahu.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
OLMERT WIN IS TROUBLE FOR ISRAEL
The Bible says that the Israeli leaders will do a Land for peace deal with the EUs influence. In Joel we see this is why WW3 occurs because Gods land is parted from Israelis.
Joel 3:2,9-16
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
This is the 3RD WAVE of WW3 when all nations come to destroy Israel and Jerusalem, but God protects Israel and destroys these People. So we see where this land giving up by Israeli leaders and false peace treaty will lead to in the near future.
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM - Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to withdraw from more West Bank settlements immediately after forming Israel's next government and to set Israel's final borders within four years if it wins upcoming elections, a top political ally said Sunday in the most explicit statement yet of Olmert's plans.
Border-setting is the key agenda of the Israeli leader's Kadima Party, which holds a commanding lead ahead of the March 28 parliamentary vote. Olmert has said that should negotiation efforts fail, he would draw Israel's borders unilaterally, continuing a process started
over the summer when the Israelis evacuated the Gaza Strip and four small West Bank settlements.
The Hamas victory in Palestinian elections last month made that more likely, a senior Kadima member said, spelling out Kadima's withdrawal plans more clearly than past statements.
Avi Dichter, a former security chief and a top Olmert ally, said Israel will dismantle more West Bank settlements — but maintain a military presence in the evacuated areas."It will be only a civilian disengagement, not a military disengagement," he told Israel Radio.
Despite the absence of Ariel Sharon, who remains comatose after suffering a stroke earlier this year, the centrist party he founded, Kadima, is expected to win the elections and keep Olmert at the helm. Assuming that happens, work on the pullout will begin immediately after a new government is installed, Dichter said. The entire process of setting final borders would take about four years, he said."In the absence of a Palestinian partner, Israel will have to determine its final borders by itself, and that will involve the consolidation of smaller settlements into settlement blocs," he said.
Olmert will seek crucial U.S. backing for the four-year plan, Dichter added. A senior official close to Olmert, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give details to the media, said such a disengagement was an option, but policy would be determined only after the election. Palestinians led by Hamas denounced the plan. "This is another indication of Israeli policy, which ignores the existence of the Palestinian people," said lawmaker Salah Bardawil, spokesman for Hamas' parliamentary faction.
"Once again, Israel is threatening to adopt unilateral measures that vindicate Hamas' view that there is no partner in Israel who seeks real peace, and that Israel used negotiations in previous years as a pretext to ignore and stall the granting of Palestinian rights," Bardawil said. Nearly two years ago, President Bush said a final peace deal would have to recognize "demographic realities" on the ground — meaning Israel would not be expected to withdraw completely to the borders it held before capturing the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war because of large settlement blocs it built in the meantime.
The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank and east Jerusalem as part of a future independent state. Dichter did not specify which settlements might be evacuated in the first stage. But the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, in an item citing Dichter, reported earlier Sunday that at least 17 settlements would be evacuated in the first stage — including some that are most militantly committed to a Jewish presence in the West Bank.
About 16,000 of Israel's 254,000 settlers live in these communities. Jewish settler leaders have vowed to fight any evacuation plan. After a largely passive resistance in Gaza, settlers clashed
fiercely with security forces who dismantled nine homes in an unauthorized West Bank settlement outpost in January. More than 200 people, most of them security forces, were wounded. Benny Katzover, head of the Elon Moreh settlement, one of the most extreme communities mentioned in the newspaper report, said further withdrawals would not be as peaceful as the Gaza pullout.
"There is no reason why we shouldn't be beaten and suffer ... and stop this process with our bodies," Katzover told Israel's Army Radio. Olmert has said Israel would hold on to three major settlement blocs and the Jordan River Valley, but he has not said which of the more than 120 remaining West Bank settlements he would be ready to quit first. All four, except the Ariel bloc, 10 miles inside the West Bank, are close to Israel's border. Yediot reported Israel also would
hold onto three other smaller settlement areas, including the volatile settlement in the heart of Hebron and nearby Kiryat Arba.
In the Gaza evacuation, Israel pulled out both settlers and soldiers, then handed over the territory to the Palestinian Authority, which has failed to stop attacks from the coastal strip.
The Israelis maintained a military presence in the four emptied West Bank settlements and will do so in future evacuations, Dichter said. "All the territories that will be emptied of Israeli settlers will remain in the hands of the military and the security establishment in order to continue to prevent terrorism in every refugee camp, and every neighborhood and every market of every Palestinian town — until the Palestinian Authority will be a partner as Israel views a partner," he said. Dichter said Israel would pursue its unilateral withdrawals over the next four years, "in the hope that a Palestinian partner, whom Israel could trust, would emerge in this time."
Israel, backed by the United States and the European Union, has said it will have no ties with a Hamas-led government unless the group, which is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, renounces violence, recognizes Israel and accepts past peace agreements. Hamas, which has rejected those conditions, hopes to form a Cabinet later this month. It has been courting the ousted Fatah Party of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to join the coalition, but Fatah, which favors negotiating a final peace deal, is inclined to stay in the opposition.
Joel 3:2,9-16
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
This is the 3RD WAVE of WW3 when all nations come to destroy Israel and Jerusalem, but God protects Israel and destroys these People. So we see where this land giving up by Israeli leaders and false peace treaty will lead to in the near future.
By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM - Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to withdraw from more West Bank settlements immediately after forming Israel's next government and to set Israel's final borders within four years if it wins upcoming elections, a top political ally said Sunday in the most explicit statement yet of Olmert's plans.
Border-setting is the key agenda of the Israeli leader's Kadima Party, which holds a commanding lead ahead of the March 28 parliamentary vote. Olmert has said that should negotiation efforts fail, he would draw Israel's borders unilaterally, continuing a process started
over the summer when the Israelis evacuated the Gaza Strip and four small West Bank settlements.
The Hamas victory in Palestinian elections last month made that more likely, a senior Kadima member said, spelling out Kadima's withdrawal plans more clearly than past statements.
Avi Dichter, a former security chief and a top Olmert ally, said Israel will dismantle more West Bank settlements — but maintain a military presence in the evacuated areas."It will be only a civilian disengagement, not a military disengagement," he told Israel Radio.
Despite the absence of Ariel Sharon, who remains comatose after suffering a stroke earlier this year, the centrist party he founded, Kadima, is expected to win the elections and keep Olmert at the helm. Assuming that happens, work on the pullout will begin immediately after a new government is installed, Dichter said. The entire process of setting final borders would take about four years, he said."In the absence of a Palestinian partner, Israel will have to determine its final borders by itself, and that will involve the consolidation of smaller settlements into settlement blocs," he said.
Olmert will seek crucial U.S. backing for the four-year plan, Dichter added. A senior official close to Olmert, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give details to the media, said such a disengagement was an option, but policy would be determined only after the election. Palestinians led by Hamas denounced the plan. "This is another indication of Israeli policy, which ignores the existence of the Palestinian people," said lawmaker Salah Bardawil, spokesman for Hamas' parliamentary faction.
"Once again, Israel is threatening to adopt unilateral measures that vindicate Hamas' view that there is no partner in Israel who seeks real peace, and that Israel used negotiations in previous years as a pretext to ignore and stall the granting of Palestinian rights," Bardawil said. Nearly two years ago, President Bush said a final peace deal would have to recognize "demographic realities" on the ground — meaning Israel would not be expected to withdraw completely to the borders it held before capturing the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war because of large settlement blocs it built in the meantime.
The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank and east Jerusalem as part of a future independent state. Dichter did not specify which settlements might be evacuated in the first stage. But the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, in an item citing Dichter, reported earlier Sunday that at least 17 settlements would be evacuated in the first stage — including some that are most militantly committed to a Jewish presence in the West Bank.
About 16,000 of Israel's 254,000 settlers live in these communities. Jewish settler leaders have vowed to fight any evacuation plan. After a largely passive resistance in Gaza, settlers clashed
fiercely with security forces who dismantled nine homes in an unauthorized West Bank settlement outpost in January. More than 200 people, most of them security forces, were wounded. Benny Katzover, head of the Elon Moreh settlement, one of the most extreme communities mentioned in the newspaper report, said further withdrawals would not be as peaceful as the Gaza pullout.
"There is no reason why we shouldn't be beaten and suffer ... and stop this process with our bodies," Katzover told Israel's Army Radio. Olmert has said Israel would hold on to three major settlement blocs and the Jordan River Valley, but he has not said which of the more than 120 remaining West Bank settlements he would be ready to quit first. All four, except the Ariel bloc, 10 miles inside the West Bank, are close to Israel's border. Yediot reported Israel also would
hold onto three other smaller settlement areas, including the volatile settlement in the heart of Hebron and nearby Kiryat Arba.
In the Gaza evacuation, Israel pulled out both settlers and soldiers, then handed over the territory to the Palestinian Authority, which has failed to stop attacks from the coastal strip.
The Israelis maintained a military presence in the four emptied West Bank settlements and will do so in future evacuations, Dichter said. "All the territories that will be emptied of Israeli settlers will remain in the hands of the military and the security establishment in order to continue to prevent terrorism in every refugee camp, and every neighborhood and every market of every Palestinian town — until the Palestinian Authority will be a partner as Israel views a partner," he said. Dichter said Israel would pursue its unilateral withdrawals over the next four years, "in the hope that a Palestinian partner, whom Israel could trust, would emerge in this time."
Israel, backed by the United States and the European Union, has said it will have no ties with a Hamas-led government unless the group, which is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, renounces violence, recognizes Israel and accepts past peace agreements. Hamas, which has rejected those conditions, hopes to form a Cabinet later this month. It has been courting the ousted Fatah Party of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to join the coalition, but Fatah, which favors negotiating a final peace deal, is inclined to stay in the opposition.
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