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CIAO DATE: 12/5/2006
"Disproportionate" Criticism - Israel Will Not Back Down, and Europe Owes Its Thanks
Joshua Muravchik
July 2006
Abstract
Europe unwisely and wrongly accuses Israel of using disproportionate force against Hamas and Hezbollah; Israel has a right to defend itself against attacks and to try to destroy its attackers. Indeed, a failure to do so would only encourage and strengthen the worldwide jihadist movement to which Europe is especially prone.
No sooner had Israel raised its hand in self-defense when Finland, speaking as the rotating president of the European Union, denounced it for “the disproportionate use of force.” This position, echoed by France, Spain, the United Nations, and others, is wrong legally, morally, and strategically.