Palestinians Tell Blair To Stay Away
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - A group of leading Palestinian politicians and public figures has issued a statement declaring British Prime Minister Tony Blair persona non grata ahead of a planned visit to Ramallah this week. The statement, which was carried by The Jerusalem Post, said Blair's visit was viewed as "a provocation against the feelings of the Palestinian people" after London supported Israel's right to make war on Lebanon in response to Hezbollah aggression. Blair is "completely unwelcome in our country because he was coming to wash the hands that are dripping Lebanese blood with Palestinian water," the statement read. It continued, "We must not give him the opportunity to appear as a peace-maker because he's a man of violence and a war-maker." The statement was distributed just one day after Palestinians staged demonstrations throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip against American and British support for Israel. Palestinians are particularly upset with Washington and London's refusal to press for an immediate ceasefire after it became clear Israel would respond militarily to Hezbollah's July 12 assault on the country's northern border. Throughout the recent war, the Palestinians urged Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah to fire his missiles at Israel's densely populated Greater Tel Aviv area, and publicly cheered on the Lebanese terror group even |
