Ceasefire Dinner Party

From Big News Network:

The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and the President of the European Union, all wined and dined at a gala dinner hosted by the Israeli Prime Minister at his home on Sunday night.

It was the day a ceasefire was unilaterally declared by the Jewish state following a three-week offensive which killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, and wounded several thousand others. Thirteen Israelis also died in the hostilities, including three civilians.

In attendance at the dinner were British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and Czech Prime Minister and current EU President Mirek Topolanek.

Representing Israel were the Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister and Vice Premier Tzipi Livni, opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu, and the leaders of the Knesset and other political entities.

“I wish to express my personal appreciation and the appreciation of the people of Israel to you, leaders of the European countries, for demonstrating your impressive support for the State of Israel and your concern for its safety,” said Olmert in welcoming the leaders to Jerusalem. “The united front which you represent and your uncompromising stand with regard to the security of the State of Israel warms our hearts and strengthens us at this sensitive time.”

The banquet on the day an extensive offensive ended, the appreciation expressed by Israel to such a gathering after three weeks of horrific carnage and destruction, was curious, and made even more so by comments from the Israeli leadership that hinted the military offensive had been planned months in advance, and possibly in consultaion with a number of Western countries, as well as certain Arab states.

A day earlier the Israeli defense minister, perhaps inadvertently, revealed the offensive had been planned months in advance. A day later Foreign Minister Livni let go with another revelation saying that prior to the offensive commencing, Israel had formed a “coalition” of Western countries and Arab states.

On Saturday night in announcing the ceasefire would be taking place at 2:00am Sunday, Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister said "We prepared our army and security forces for many months. We did not overlook a single detail. When we embarked on the operation, we did what we had to do."

In remarks by Olmert before the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, hours after the announcement of the ceasefire, he said, “Today, EU President and Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will come to Israel in order to express their support, for the multi-lateral, comprehensive move, which we formulated along with the US, Egypt and others in order to bring quiet to the south of the country.'

Then on Monday during an address on the military operation at the College for Management in Rishon Lezion, Livni said, “This is not an ordinary sight when such an amazing show of world leaders arrives in Israel after the heavy blow Israel dealt Gaza.”

She went on to say, according to Ynet news, "We embarked on the operation after forming a coalition of Western and Arab countries."

On Sunday night at the banquet, the world leaders assembled at Prime Minister Olmert’s home, commended Israel and vowed to take action to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.

“I am very pleased to be here this evening to express my support, together with the other European leaders,” said Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi. “As far as my country and I am concerned, we have always stood beside you. We feel for the hardships you must face. Your hardships are our hardships.”

The Italian prime minister reminded Israel it was he, Berlusconi, when he was President of the European Union that decided to put Hamas on the list of terrorist organizations. “You certainly remember that Italy always stood beside you, even when Israel was the only democracy in the Middle East. This is because of our shared values, our aspiration for freedom, our cultures and our free market rules,” he said.

Berlusconi went on to suggest that one day Israel can be a member of the European Union. “I am still convinced that it is proper that this happen, and we must continue working to that end,” he said.

”With regard to the current situation, as in the past, you can count on Italy and my government,” said Berlusconi. “We will join with all the European countries to ensure that no arms reach Gaza by land or by sea. We are willing to provide Italian representatives at each of the border crossings and are also prepared to provide you with all the technological means at our disposal, at the highest professional standards,” he said.

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topalanek, who is also the President of the EU, said, 'While recognizing Israel's right to self-defense and being aware of the proximate causes of the Israeli military operation, we regret the accompanying loss of innocent lives and property.”

The President of France Nicolas Sarkozy lauded Israel but said his country did not agree with its offensive. He was quick to point out however this was not an admonishment, but was a matter of being genuinely honest. He also said world leaders needed to unite to restart the peace process, and not wait on the United States.

“Europe will never compromise the security of the State of Israel,” he said. “I must say we did not support Israel’s actions in Gaza. We recognize Hamas’s central mistake with regard to the rocket fire, but we believe that the Israeli army’s place is not in Gaza.”

”All my political life I felt and lived as a friend to Israel, but a true friend is honest and can be trusted,” said Sarkozy. “The Government of Israel’s unanimous decision to cease fire is a decision we support. It is the right decision for a democratic country. However, it is only the first step. We must move forward because this region of the world, which you know better than we do, is running out of time. For too many years we lost time and missed too many opportunities. There were too many leaders who tried but did not succeed, and now we too must try.”

“Europe has resolved to assist in this. Angela Merkel, Gordon Brown, Silvio Berlusconi and I sent a letter. We wrote that we are ready to place our ships at your disposal so that there will be no more weapons smuggling to Gaza.”

“As soon as the Israeli withdraws from Gaza, we should hold a summit with the Palestinian Authority to talk to them about how a Palestinian state will live in peace with the State of Israel. Of course we also need the United States, there is no doubt about this, but we need not wait. We believe they will provide the guarantees,” said the French president

”We came here today as friends. We extend our hand to everyone because we are convinced that Europe brings with it a message of peace. Europe will be strong and decisive if it has the courage to speak with everyone. I am not admonishing Israel; this is merely an expression of friendship, of genuine honesty and of courage.’

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “We are here today on a symbolic journey. It is clear that Israel, like any other state, has the right to live in peace, and to not be threatened by its neighbors. It is therefore important that we also work toward a sustainable peace. We are all convinced, and it is for this reason that I, together with the President of France and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, wrote this letter, that we must ensure that the smuggling of arms, on land or sea, will be stopped. We will assist to the best of our ability.”

Merkel also said the crossings must be opened and wanted to see the Palestinian Authority play a part in Gaza. “We want to see the enhancement of the legitimate Authority, and we have said so to President Abbas,” she said. “ The State of Israel has a right to live, and so does a Palestinian state. We, together with our American friends, will support this process. We are neighbors, we are close. It is in all of our interest to live in a world of peace.”

The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr.Gordon Brown said, “We recognize that a ceasefire means that there should be no rocket attacks on the Israeli people from Gaza, and we call on the Hamas, even at this stage, to make sure that its supporters desist from any rocket attacks on the people of Israel.”

”We recognize also that this ceasefire must mean that action is taken against arms smuggling and arms trafficking. We have written to you, Prime Minister, to say that we will do everything to help stop the supply of arms by land and by sea. We recognize that the cessation of rocket attacks and the control of arms trafficking are vital to the security of the people of Israel, and Israel has a right to be secure within its own borders,” said Brown.

”You said a few minutes ago, Prime Minister, that you would want the troops to leave Gaza as soon as possible. I hope that will be possible and I hope also that we will see an opening of the crossings. I believe that that would constitute the next stage following the ceasefire that will make possible a resumption of the talks that are necessary for a permanent peace.”

”We have come here this evening to see all the leaders of Israel. We appreciate the leadership that you have shown over many many years, and all of you here are friends of the European Union and friends of our countries,” said the British prime minister. “I wanted to say that I was pleased to be with you all this evening, but the task before us is not just a ceasefire and it is not just the end to arms trafficking. It is building a permanent peace, and that means security for Israel within its borders and that means the viability, economically and socially, of a Palestinian state.”

Prime Minister of Spain Jose Luis Zapatero said, “It is my first time in your country, and I am very excited that I am here on the same day that a ceasefire, which the international community has been striving to achieve for several weeks, is declared. We hope that this cease fire will be sustainable and that it will include the withdrawal of Israeli forces, with guarantees for Israel's security.'