New Delhi
2 June 2010
Israel was extricating itself Wednesday from a situation of its own making after
its deputy prime minister Avigdor Lieberman triggered a potential diplomatic row with
India.
Lieberman, who is also Israel's foreign minister, was quoted as telling the UN secretary-
general that the international community ignored the killings of 500 people in the past
month alone in various incidents in Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Iraq, while
Israel is condemned for "unmistakably defensive actions" that claimed nine lives.
In the press release put up on the Israeli foreign ministry website, Mr Lieberman had
also said that the UN Security Council resolution against Israel's raid on a flotilla of
ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza reeked of "hypocrisy and double standards
taking root in the international community".
The Israeli foreign ministry and the Israeli embassy in India went into damage control
mode soon after reports trickled in of India being dragged into the controversy. The
Israeli government established contacts with the Indian ambassador in Tel Aviv to clear
any misunderstanding that may have arisen. The word "India" was promptly deleted
from the statement and a corrected version of the statement posted on the Israeli foreign
ministry website. In New Delhi, Israel's ambassador to India Mark Sofer was quick to
clear the air. In the course of a pre-arranged interaction with journalists, Mr Sofer
clarified that his government regretted the mistake and it had conveyed its apologies to
the Indian government.
"Israel does not see India in the same light as it does its enemies[.] Israel stands hook,
line, and sinker with India[,]" Mr Sofer elaborated, but not before wondering aloud why a
section of the international community was hypocritical towards his country.
"Tens of people are killed every day around the world[.] People are killed in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Where is the condemnation? Who are these countries to accuse us? Who
are they to tell us? [Nine persons were killed in the raid] but it is not as if Israel
massacred ... it is not the case. Had we wanted to [use extreme force] there would have
been many more [casualties]," he said animatedly.
The envoy went on to assert that Israel had the right to defend and "we will defend
ourselves to the hilt but we will try as much as we can to minimise collateral damage".
Mr Sofer said the blockade on Gaza could be lifted if Hamas gave up its intention to
eradicate Israel and also stopped terrorism. "The onus should be placed on them," he
maintained.
He hoped the proximity talks between Israel and Palestine could develop into direct
negotiations.
"There is no military solution. No victory, only negotiated compromise. None of us will
get 100 per cent of what we want," he said when asked about the West Asia peace
process.
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