Posted on 04/27/2007 11:12:12 AM PDT by WesternCulture
Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, is assessing the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, in the context of a five day visit to the region. In a speech on the humanitarian dimension of the Middle East Peace Process, delivered today at a conference in Jerusalem, the Commissioner underlined the need for all parties involved to respect the core element of international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians. In particular, he recalled the need to ensure access to the victims of conflict, and urged all parties to respect the humanitarian space. "I am more and more worried by the constant infringement of international humanitarian law", said the EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, just a few weeks before the 40th anniversary of the occupation of the Palestinian territory. "In many countries, international humanitarian law is not only ignored but often flouted by belligerents. Instead of conventional wars, internal conflicts have become the norm. Such conflicts always affect mainly civilians. For humanitarian workers, it is an ever-growing daily challenge. Access to victims is often difficult and insecurity is rampant. Sometimes it is impossible for humanitarian workers to do their job and they themselves are coming under attack more often. This is unacceptable", stated Louis Michel.
The conference 'Moving the Middle East Peace Process forward: Humanitarian Challenges,' held today in Jerusalem, gathers the main humanitarian actors in the region, including donors from EU member States.
The EU is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in the region. In 2006, the EC Humanitarian aid department funded €84 million of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable Palestinians. For 2007, the Commission Humanitarian Aid department will allocate €60 million, aimed at responding to the most urgent needs of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
This conference comes at the close of a three day visit by the Commissioner to Israel and the Palestinian territory. During his meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Mr Michel reiterated the EU's support to the peace process and European solidarity towards the victims of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Mr. Michel will leave today to Jordan and Syria where he will visit humanitarian projects funded by the Commission Humanitarian Aid department.
Boiled down it says it's all Isreal's fault for not letting themselves get destroyed.
Sounds like a No-Show job.
“humanitarian situation in the Middle East,”
They have none toward each other.
Can someone explain to me what is so different between the Shiites and Sunnies that require them to blow each other up?
“Can someone explain to me what is so different between the Shiites and Sunnies that require them to blow each other up?”
- They both wish to be the ‘Sole Defender of Islam’ and end up defending nothing and attacking each other.
Let’s be honest, the same phenomena has existed in the West and remnants of this lunacy still exists in Northern Ireland. Hopefully. it will soon become a thing of the past.
Northern Ireland was more an Ireland vs British rule not Christians group A vs Christian group B.
Dreeeeeam, dream, dream, dream. Only trouble is, gee whiz, they’re deamin’ their lives away.
Does humanitarian assistance in the Middle East include providing bibles to supressed Christians living there?
- What is your attitude to the humanitarian aspect?
Should the West (and our allies like Japan etc) continue to give aid to people, regardless of creed and nationality, in the Mid East OR should it come with any ‘conditional clauses’?
Personally, I think most people directly involved in aid are useful, for different reasons. These persons are men and women of action and are often far more admirable than PC politicians and other such people who live in million dollar condos in Washington, Paris and Geneva and do not even write the speeches they hold at fancy conferences.
In many ways, it’s better that the free world keep financing aid operations in the Mid East than to hand it over to nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran.
“Northern Ireland was more an Ireland vs British rule not Christians group A vs Christian group B.”
- This I won’t deny.
In many ways, different fractions within the world of Islam is about national issues too.
Religion in itself is not an excuse for promoting national interests, but people who are not educated, aware and moral individuals often make it appear as such.
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