Lieberman To European Counterparts: “Go And Solve Your Problems First”

Monday October 11, 2010 04:07 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli occupation government racist, Zionist foreign minister, Avigror Lieberman, of the fundamentalist right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, told his French and Spanish counterparts that Europe should first solve its own problems before trying to complain about Israeli policies.

“Before complaining about our polices, go and solve your issues first”, Lieberman said, “After you do so, I will be open to listening to your proposals”.

He made his statements to two European foreign ministers during a dinner meeting on Sunday evening.

Lieberman told Miguel Moratinos of Spain and Bernard Kouchner of France that "Israel will not be the new Czechoslovakia of 2010”, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

He also claimed that the International community is trying to compensate “for its failures in Sudan, North Korea and Afghanistan by trying to force Israel into achieving a peace deal with the Palestinians within a year”.

The Israeli Minister further stated that Europe should pressure the Arab League into normalizing relations with Israel and to push for a comprehensive peace deal, and added that he does not expect the E.U. to solve all world problems and issues, but “they should at least solve their own problems before trying to mediate peace with the Palestinians”.

He also made a reference to 1938, and stated that Europe tried to appease Hitler by sacrificing Czechoslovakia instead of defending it or at least supporting it, and added that Israel will not accept to be the new Czechoslovakia of 2010.

Lieberman’s party is part of the coalition formed by Israel's Prime Minister of the Likud party. He believes that Israel has the right to construct Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, including in occupied East Jerusalem.

He firmly opposes the internationally guaranteed legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to statehood and the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees.

Lieberman: Europe should fix itself first

Published today (updated) 11/10/2010 09:34

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) --

 Israel's foreign minister told his French and Spanish counterparts on Sunday to solve problems in Europe before Israel will listen to European advice, Israeli press reported.

"I don’t expect you to solve the problems of the world, but I certainly expect that before you come here to teach us how to solve conflicts, you will deal with the problems in Europe and solve those conflicts," Lieberman was quoted as saying in the Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Spanish counterpart Miguel Moratinos arrived in Israel Sunday for a two-day tour of the region, in which they will also meet Palestinian Authority leaders.

The visit was said to be an effort to bolster EU support for the peace process. Meeting the ministers in Jerusalem, Lieberman said the international community was trying to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians to make up for its failures in Afghanistan, Sudan and North Korea, the Israeli daily Haaretz said.

Lieberman's recent address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York raised controversy, as the foreign minister outlined a proposal to move Israel's borders "to better reflect demographic realities." According to his plan, Israel would revoke the citizenship of residents in towns with a large Arab population.

The Israeli cabinet on Sunday passed one of a series of 'loyalty' bills proposed by Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party. Ministers passed an amendment requiring non-Jews seeking citizenship to swear loyalty to "a Jewish and democratic state."

Hamas and Fat'h declared the bill "racist," and Palestinian National Initiative leader Mustafa Barghouthi described the amendment as "an official declaration of apartheid."

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his support for the amendment, and asserted that "No one can preach democracy or enlightenment to us," adding that "There is no other democracy in the Middle East."

The European officials also met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who praised the European contribution to peace. Noting the ministers were friends of both Israel and Palestinians, he said "they can really help," The Jerusalem Post reported.