By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
Jul 10, 2005
Israel's conflict with the Arabs over lands promised to the Jews by the Almighty but later claimed by Islam is the primary reason for the lack of global harmony, the leaders of the world's eight wealthiest nations declared at the weekend.
?A comprehensive resolution of the Middle East conflict is critical to peace in the world and prosperity in the region,? a statement released by the participants in the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland read. ?In this context, our common goal remains a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the creation of a viable, democratic Palestinian state? and a ?universally recognised Israel.?
The statement was released following and as a reaction to Thursday's series of terrorist attacks against the residents of London.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair suggested the unresolved Israeli-Arab conflict was the root cause for the assault, and indeed all global Islamic terrorism.
While Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered Israeli government officials not to make political statements regarding the London bombings, several Jerusalem sources blasted Blair for his ?hypocrisy.?
?It is a widespread approach in Europe,? one Israeli diplomat told Ynetnews. ?They really believe we are responsible for all their problems.?
?Blair?s comments are an attempt to calm things down, to tell British Muslims, 'it?s not you, it?s the Mideast conflict,'? another source said.
The unnamed diplomats said Blair's reaction to the bombings was another sign Europe had yet to wake up to the dangers of radical Islam.
At least one world leader, Pope Benedict XVI, took a seemingly opposing tack to that of Blair and the G8 by calling the attacks ?anti-Christian.?
A Vatican source told reporters the pope continued to see Christianity, Christian values, and the Christian way of life, particularly in Europe, as the direct and intentional targets of Islamic terrorism.