Even The Swiss Are Annoyed
It takes a lot to get the Swiss to involve themselves in something outside their borders. While every able-bodied male between 18 and 55 is a member of the national guard and keeps an assault weapon and ammunition at home, they try to stay neutral and don’t go looking for trouble.
Sometimes you have to speak up:
Neutral Switzerland does not often venture into political controversy. But this statement is likely to cause some irritation in Israel and the United States.
A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry said that, as the depository country for the Geneva Conventions, encouraging respect for international law was a declared aim of Switzerland’s foreign policy and the statement should be read in that context.
It says there is “no doubt Israel has not taken the precautions required of it in international law to protect the civilian population and infrastructure.
“The destruction of a power station, the attack on the offices of the Palestinian prime minister, the arbitrary arrests of a large number of democratically-elected representatives of the people and ministers… cannot be justified.”
6 comments
Hmmm…but I’m sure ole King George has many *justifications* (Keeps them in his hip pocket as transcribed by YOO!) Fooey…and to expect the Rule of Law to be **followed** is an anathema to these folks.
When innocent people are killed, no matter what their governments are doing, you don’t simply write it off as the “cost of doing business”.
Both sides are killing innocent people, and both sides need to be stopped.
Denouncement of actions/decisions by the Israeli government does not constitute anti-semitism, nor denoucement of actions/decisions by the Palestinian authority constitute anti-Muslim sentiments.
One does have to think… if a very powerful country decides to take land occupied by very powerless people, the powerless people will resort to any means in order to protect themselves… Neither is right for doing what they’re doing… And we are all wrong for letting BOTH go on like this…
The only way this will stop is by making certain to both sides that they have to stop the killing or both sides will be punished. With Arafat and Sharon out of the picture it should be possible to forge a peace, but people keep refusing to take a first step.
What is really necessary is an experienced kindergarten teacher to make these people behave.
Yes, indeed, an experience kindergarten teacher…. however, one that uses time outs, or one that uses a stick?…..
A nun with a metal ruler.