Tweet
UK: UK party leader urges EU to use “economic muscle” against Israel
London, (IRNA): Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg said on Tuesday the European Union should use its “economic muscle” to exercise influence over Israel to end the “complete blockade” on Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in the Foreign Press Association in London, Clegg who is very ambitious to become the next British prime minister, criticised Israel for imposing a long-run siege on the Gaza Strip.
He said it is not in the “long-term interests” of Israel to continue the siege on “1.5 million wretched people” in Gaza who are suffering more than three years of Israeli blockade.
Clegg said the current level of poverty and destitution in Gaza will result in “radicalism, extremism and hatred” among the Palestinians.
Referring to Israel’s 22-day war on Gaza which killed more than 1,400 people, Clegg said it was a “disproportionate use of force by Israel”.
“It is not in the long-term interests of Israel to keep a complete blockade on Gaza,” he said, urging the EU to downgrade its economic and military relations with Israel.
The Liberal Democrats leader further said Britain’s relationship with the United States is no longer special and should be reviewed.
Clegg said Britain should be “released from the spell of Atlanticism” and “special relations” with the United States although both countries enjoy common grounds in the cultural and linguistic fields.
“The Cold War is over. The ideological conflict [between the former USSR and the US] glued our relations with the United States...But those days are past...If we want to understand future challenges, we have to shape our values.”
Clegg said there are “very profound differences” between the US and Britain at the moment which should be resolved.
He referred to the “Bush-Cheney war on terror” and “allegations of torture” as the two main points of contention between the United States and Britain.
“I have the courage of investigating all these allegations [if elected prime minister]...The most basic values and the rule of law are not respected in the war on terror. Unless these allegations are resolved, we are not going to have special relationship with the United States.”
Clegg slammed the Conservatives and the Labour Party for what he termed the “slavish” way of describing UK-US relations as “special”.
He added that the relationship between Britain and the United States should be a “balanced one and not like a one-way street”.
“It is a good relationship but not special,” he said, adding that the world has now changed and Britain should re-think its relations over the Atlantic.
Asked about Trident, he said the plan to upgrade Britain’s nuclear missiles is an “irresponsible decision” which will ultimately cost “100 billion pounds” for the taxpayers.
Clegg said there are “cheaper alternatives” to reinforce the British defence strategy including the extension of the life of current missiles, downgrading the sea deterrence and replacing “Vanguard” submarines.
London, (IRNA): Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg said on Tuesday the European Union should use its “economic muscle” to exercise influence over Israel to end the “complete blockade” on Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in the Foreign Press Association in London, Clegg who is very ambitious to become the next British prime minister, criticised Israel for imposing a long-run siege on the Gaza Strip.
He said it is not in the “long-term interests” of Israel to continue the siege on “1.5 million wretched people” in Gaza who are suffering more than three years of Israeli blockade.
Clegg said the current level of poverty and destitution in Gaza will result in “radicalism, extremism and hatred” among the Palestinians.
Referring to Israel’s 22-day war on Gaza which killed more than 1,400 people, Clegg said it was a “disproportionate use of force by Israel”.
“It is not in the long-term interests of Israel to keep a complete blockade on Gaza,” he said, urging the EU to downgrade its economic and military relations with Israel.
The Liberal Democrats leader further said Britain’s relationship with the United States is no longer special and should be reviewed.
Clegg said Britain should be “released from the spell of Atlanticism” and “special relations” with the United States although both countries enjoy common grounds in the cultural and linguistic fields.
“The Cold War is over. The ideological conflict [between the former USSR and the US] glued our relations with the United States...But those days are past...If we want to understand future challenges, we have to shape our values.”
Clegg said there are “very profound differences” between the US and Britain at the moment which should be resolved.
He referred to the “Bush-Cheney war on terror” and “allegations of torture” as the two main points of contention between the United States and Britain.
“I have the courage of investigating all these allegations [if elected prime minister]...The most basic values and the rule of law are not respected in the war on terror. Unless these allegations are resolved, we are not going to have special relationship with the United States.”
Clegg slammed the Conservatives and the Labour Party for what he termed the “slavish” way of describing UK-US relations as “special”.
He added that the relationship between Britain and the United States should be a “balanced one and not like a one-way street”.
“It is a good relationship but not special,” he said, adding that the world has now changed and Britain should re-think its relations over the Atlantic.
Asked about Trident, he said the plan to upgrade Britain’s nuclear missiles is an “irresponsible decision” which will ultimately cost “100 billion pounds” for the taxpayers.
Clegg said there are “cheaper alternatives” to reinforce the British defence strategy including the extension of the life of current missiles, downgrading the sea deterrence and replacing “Vanguard” submarines.